Jonathan Allen Bio
Jonathan Allen (born January 16, 1995) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He is recognized as a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a former national champion with the Alabama Crimson Tide. After eight seasons with the Washington franchise, Allen continued his career with the Minnesota Vikings before joining Cincinnati in 2026.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Allen was born on January 16, 1995, in Anniston, Alabama. During his childhood, he lived in Seattle, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Maryland before his family settled in Ashburn, Virginia. He attended Stone Bridge High School, where he developed into one of the most decorated high school defensive players in the country.
Allen’s parents separated when he was three years old, and his mother was granted custody of him and his younger brother, Richard Allen III. At the age of eight, both brothers entered the foster care system. Ten months later, his father, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Allen Jr., won full custody of the children in 2004. The family background shaped Allen’s resilience and contributed to his long-term involvement with foster care and homeless shelter causes.
As a senior in 2012, Allen was named the Virginia Gatorade Football Player of the Year. He finished his high school career with 308 tackles and 44 sacks, earning five-star recruit status. He committed to play college football at the University of Alabama, one of the most storied programs in the sport.
Path to American Football
Allen’s path to elite-level football began in Ashburn, where he developed into a five-star recruit ranked among the top defensive linemen in his class. His performance at Stone Bridge High School drew attention from national recruiting analysts, who considered him a future impact player at the college level.
His decision to attend Alabama placed him in a defense-first culture coached by Nick Saban. The move allowed Allen to compete against top-tier offensive linemen in the Southeastern Conference and refine his technique as an interior pass rusher. By the end of his senior year, he had established himself as the most decorated defensive player in college football.
Jonathan Allen Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Allen played in 13 games as a true freshman at Alabama in 2013, recording 16 tackles while learning behind veteran defensive linemen. As a sophomore in 2014, he appeared in all 14 games and made 12 starts, earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors after posting 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
In 2015, Allen started all 14 games for the Crimson Tide, who defeated the Clemson Tigers 45–40 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. The following season, he swept the major national awards for defensive players, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Ted Hendricks Award, and the Lombardi Award. He was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous All-American, and first-team All-SEC for the third consecutive year.
Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders (2017–2024)
The Washington Redskins selected Allen in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $11.59 million and recorded his first career sack in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders. A Lisfranc injury in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers ended his rookie season and led to injured reserve.
Allen returned healthy in 2018 and started all 16 games, finishing with eight sacks, 61 tackles, and 15 quarterback hits. He remained a durable starter through the 2019 and 2020 seasons, when the team switched to a 4-3 defense under coordinator Jack Del Rio, prompting Allen’s move from defensive end to defensive tackle. On July 27, 2021, he signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension.
In 2021, Allen set a single-season career high with 9.0 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl selection, followed by a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2022. During the 2022 season, he recorded his first career interception off Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields and added his first career forced fumble in the same game. A partial left pectoral tear limited him to eight games in 2024, and the Commanders granted him permission to seek a trade in February 2025 before releasing him on March 7.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025)
On March 11, 2025, Allen signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He played the 2025 season as a veteran presence on the defensive line, finishing with 68 total tackles and one fumble recovery.
On March 11, 2026, the Vikings released him, ending a single season in Minnesota. The release opened the door for Allen to weigh several suitors as a free agent.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2026–Present)
On March 13, 2026, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Allen to a two-year, $28 million contract. The move brought the veteran defensive tackle into a new defensive scheme and reunited him with an AFC North contender seeking interior pass-rush help.
Notable Events and Milestones
Allen’s signature moments include his 2015 national championship with Alabama, a sweep of major defensive awards in 2016, and back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2021 and 2022. He also posted a single-season career high of 9.0 sacks in 2021 and recorded his first career interception against the Chicago Bears in 2022.
Jonathan Allen Career Wins
Alabama Highlights
Allen helped the Alabama Crimson Tide win the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 45–40 victory over the Clemson Tigers. As a senior in 2016, he earned the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Award, Lombardi Award, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Unanimous All-American honors.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Allen earned Pro Bowl selections after the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He also ranked 88th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022 and 52nd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023, reflecting peer respect for his disruptive play on the defensive line.
Jonathan Allen Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jonathan Allen married his wife, Hannah, in July 2018. His father, Richard Allen Jr., is a retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class who won custody of Jonathan and his brother Richard III in 2004. Drawing from his own experience in the foster care system, Allen has volunteered with homeless shelters and foster-related causes throughout his adult life.
2025 Season Performance
Jonathan Allen entered the 2025 season with the Minnesota Vikings after signing a three-year, $60 million contract on March 11, 2025. He provided veteran leadership along the defensive line and contributed 68 total tackles with one fumble recovery across the regular season. Although the Vikings released him on March 11, 2026, his lone Minnesota campaign showcased his durability and consistent run defense at age 30.
