Report: Broncos Sign DL Zach Allen to 3-Year Deal
No team wins the Super Bowl on the first day of free agency, but that hasn't stopped the Denver Broncos from trying. On the heels of inking multiple tier-one free agents to bolster the offensive line, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reported on Monday night that the Broncos have signed former Arizona Cardinals starter Zach Allen to bolster the defensive trenches.
ESPN's Adam Schefter provided some insight on the contract Allen garnered from Denver.
"Former Cardinals’ DE Zach Allen reached agreement on a three-year, $45.75 million deal that includes $32.5 million guaranteed at signing with the Broncos, per source. Allen is reunited with Denver DC Vance Joseph," Schefter tweeted.
Indeed, Allen reunites with Joseph after spending all four of his NFL seasons with him in Arizona. Drafted by Arizona in the third round back in 2019, the Boston College product took a couple of years to get fully up to speed.
That's the way it often goes for defensive linemen in the NFL. By Year 3, Allen was an entrenched starter.
The 6-foot-4, 281-pound lineman produced 9.5 sacks and 34 QB hits in his final two years in the desert combined. As a penetrating interior pass rusher, Allen is no slouch in run support, being credited with 15 tackles for a loss over that same span, to go along with 95 combined tackles (53 solo).
As Allen arrives in Denver, the Broncos said goodbye to Dre'Mont Jones, who is expected to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. While Jones brought a lot to Denver's defense as an interior pass rusher, he never turned a corner as a run defender.
That's not a weakness on Allen's resume. It's fair to say that Denver upgraded its D-line by allowing Jones to walk and signing the 25-year-old Allen, who's just entering his prime.
What a Day 1 of free agency for Sean Payton's Broncos. Rejoice, Broncos Country.
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