General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah entered free agency with an extensive list of in-house free agents and a long wishlist from his coaches. With his available cap space, he acquired some sweet players, but he had another advantage in his back pocket.

Vikings Newcomer “Feels Cheated” by Former Team

The Minnesota Vikings were once again listed near the top of the annual NFLPA report cards, and pretty much every new free agent mentions the culture and the infrastructure as significant selling points.

Jonathan Allen, Brian Flores’ new defensive tackle, recently appeared on The Green Light Podcast with ex-NFL defender Chris Long, and he took some shots at the Washington Commanders, especially the previous regime that led the franchise prior to the ownership change and last year’s new coaching and GM shift.

Allen told Long, “I can’t state enough how great the culture has been, from how they treat their families to how they treat the players. I feel like I’ve been cheated my last eight years.”

The Commanders were on the receiving end of criticism throughout the tenure of the previous owner, Daniel Snyder.

Allen continued, “The Commanders had a really great culture last year, and that was the hardest part about leaving. When I was going into free agency, I told myself that I wanted to choose a team that has an established culture.”

Ron Rivera was fired last offseason, and Dan Quinn was hired as the new head coach. Jayden Daniels was selected second overall, and those two men changed the entire culture. Allen had only positive things to say about the young passer.

In Minnesota, he will also play with a quarterback from the 2024 draft class, hopefully with the same level of success.

Allen raved about Minnesota’s facility and training staff, “As you get older, the day-in and day-out work you put in your body is just as important as the film study and weight lifting. Just talking to these guys up here and how they get you to perform at your best when your best is needed — man, I love that.”

In the 2025 NFLPA report cards, the Vikings didn’t have a single grade worse than a B+. And they had only one B+. Minnesota’s ownership has provided the necessary resources to build a state-of-the-art building in Eagan, Minnesota.

The Vikings had been looking for an impactful interior defender for years, and they finally got one in Allen. Actually, they even got a second one minutes later when Javon Hargrave arrived, too.

In 109 career games, Allen has tabulated 42 sacks and 401 tackles. He signed a lucrative three-year deal worth $51 million with the Vikings and hopes to return to his Pro Bowl level after missing half the season with a partially torn pec.

Allen turned 30 in January and should still have a few more years left in the tank. It turns out the players actually care about an organization’s culture, and the report cards help the Vikings broadcast theirs.