Were The New York Jets Interested In Jared Allen?

Jared Allen has just signed a 4 year deal with the Chicago Bears. Apparently his 4th year voids down to a 3 year deal at $24 million which includes $15.5 million guaranteed, a deal that is quite similar to the one DeMarcus Ware got with the Denver Broncos. We never really thought the New York Jets would be interested, but apparently they were:

Another sleeper team on Jared Allen: Jets. Rex Ryan spoke to Allen last week, Jets asst. Karl Dunbar coached Allen in Minn. Jets wanted in.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2014

Now this comes from the most reliable source there is in football. Was it due diligence, or was it more? Perhaps we'll find out soon but I can't imagine we were ever interested in guaranteeing $15.5 in another defensive lineman, considering  we will need to pay Muhammad Wilkerson this year, Sheldon Richardson and Quinton Coples at some point, and Damon Harrison will get an increase too.

Allen had visited the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys before agreeing to sign with the Bears. Allen is at his best working in a 4-3 system so it's hard to imagine how he would have lined up for us. We do run from the 4-3 and I'm sure Rex Ryan would have loved to have a guy who's recorded more sacks over the last 10 years than any other player, maybe the price wasn't right, or maybe we weren't really big players here. It's interesting none the less.