Former Minnesota star defensive end Jared Allen, who played for the Vikings from 2008 to 2013, was one of 25 players who became semifinalists for the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
Allen came to the Vikings from the Kansas City Chiefs where he started his career. He played for the Chiefs from 2004-2007. After he left Minnesota, he played two seasons with the Chicago Bears before playing one final season with the Carolina Panthers.
Allen is considered one of the greatest players ever to wear Purple and Gold. He finished his Minnesota career with 85.5 sacks, which ranks fourth in franchise history. In 2011, he led the entire league with 22 sacks, which is a single-season Vikings franchise record. In that season he finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Terrell Suggs.
Allen’s 136 career sacks rank 12th in NFL history. During his time in the league, he was named to five Pro Bowls. It seems like a matter of time before Allen gets his gold jacket.
