As I sat watching Jared Allen destroy the offensive line of the Green Bay Packers, I reflected on the trade that sent Allen away from the Kansas City Chiefs. I think to myself how different the 2009 Chiefs would be with Allen eager to mash the opposing QB on every play.

Allen doesn’t slow down, he doesn’t take a play off, he doesn’t get tired in the fourth quarter and he doesn’t care if you think his mullet is stupid.

Simply put, Jared Allen is the best defensive player in the NFL. He makes his teammates around him better. When Allen isn’t pressuring the QB, he is drawing a double-team, allowing others to apply the pressure.

Since being traded to Minnesota, Allen has compiled 21 sacks, 6 more than the entire Chiefs team (10 in 2008 and 5 in 2009).

A pass rusher of Allen’s caliber does many things for the offense:

• Puts the opposition in long-down situations
• Takes pressure off the corner backs
• Draws double-teams, allowing teammates to apply pressure
• Requires a skill position (RB or TE) to help block, rather than run routes
• Creates good field position for the offense
• And simply too many more to mention

The loss of Allen for the Chiefs has been immensely more impactful than anyone could have imagined. In no way am I saying that Allen, alone, would have made the 2-14 Chiefs of 2008 a playoff contender, but I am saying Allen would have made the Chiefs a greatly more competitive team.