Jared Allen headed to Bears, gets $15.5M

The Chicago Bears replaced one accomplished veteran pass rusher with another today when they agreed to terms with Jared Allen on a four-year contract.

A person with knowledge of the agreement tells The Associated Press that Allen will get $15.5 million guaranteed on a deal that could be worth as much as $32 million. The person requested anonymity because the terms of the deal have not been officially announced.

Allen's deal can be voided down to three years and $24 million, but the first two years of his salary and a roster bonus next March are fully guaranteed.

The 31-year-old Allen will take over for Julius Peppers, who left Chicago for Green Bay as a free agent. Chicago's defense ranked 30th in the NFL last season and was 32nd and last against the run.

Allen spent the previous six seasons with the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. He had 11½ sacks last season and has reached double digits in sacks for seven straight years. He also is considered a solid run defender.

Allen also had talks with the Seahawks and Cowboys. His joining the Bears adds plenty of intrigue to the NFC North picture.

The Vikings acquired Allen from Kansas City in 2007 and signed him to a six-year, $73 million contract that at the time made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.