:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29890631/20130915_mje_se2_059.0.jpg)
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t expected to re-sign free agent defensive end Jared Allen. That leaves a short list of teams willing to sign the aging vet, who's likely only going to want to play for a contender if he's not going to get a big contract this offseason.
The same goes for DeMarcus Ware after the Dallas Cowboys cut him Tuesday right when the NFL free agency signing period opened.
Enter the Denver Broncos:
Just said in a taped segment to air on @FOXSportsLive tonight: Broncos are going to make a strong push for DE Jared Allen starting tomorrow.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2014
That was before the Cowboys cut Ware though, and he may now be the Broncos' primary target:
Filed to ESPN: Denver has emerged as the favorite to land former Dallas DE DeMarcus Ware, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2014
Ware had a career-low six sacks and missed three games because of injury for the first time in his career last season. He also finished with a carer-low 40 tackles. The Cowboys saved $7.432 million by cutting Ware.
As for Allen, who turns 32 in April, started all 16 games for the sixth consecutive season and didn’t miss a single game in his time with the Vikings.
After a slow start in 2013, Allen registered 6.5 sacks over the final five games and finished with 11.5. He’s still got enough in the tank to make an impact on a team like the Broncos, where he won’t be able to the focus of opposing offenses like he was in Minnesota.
Both of these players could theoretically sign with the Broncos. Ware could line-up at one outside linebacker spot or at defensive end, while Allen could come off the bench to replace him or play at DE on passing downs.