Not a lot of people saw the Chicago Bears making this move – signing Jared Allen. However, it wasn’t too much of a stretch to think that someone was going to pick him sooner or later. Players this good don’t stay off the market for too long, no matter the price.

Allen has played for the Minnesota Vikings since 2008 and continues the trend of players moving within the division that the NFC North is known for. He signed a four-year deal and pretty much comes as a replacement for Julius Peppers who went to the Green Packers, where he’ll play mostly as a linebacker. He’s signed for $32 million, with $15.5 million fully guaranteed. The deal voids to three at $24 million.

Allen began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, spending four seasons there. He has 128.5 career sacks and has led the league in that category twice, including 22 in 2011. He has made the Pro Bowl five times and is a four-time first team All-Pro selection, the last of which coming in 2011.

Allen had 11.5 sacks last season for the Vikings, and recent rumors had him close to signing a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, although he made some sort of U-turn after going back home to think about things with his wife. He’ll be 31 at the beginning of next month, and has missed only three games his entire career; none since joining the Vikings.

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