Chicago Bears 2022 Free Agent Profile: Center Brian Allen

The Chicago Bears are in the market for a reliable center. Brian Allen fits the mold of what general manager Ryan Poles wants on the offensive line and is coming off of a Super Bowl win.

The NFL free agency frenzy is upon us. The legal tampering period began and the official start of the new league year starts this week on Thursday at 4 PM Eastern. The Chicago Bears have a lot of holes to fill so they’ll be players in free agency. How big is another question altogether.

The one area general manager Ryan Pace said was a priority was the offensive line. Poles and the Bears feel they have their franchise quarterback and face of the franchise in Justin Fields. Now, though, they need to protect him. He can’t make big plays if he is constantly on his back. In 2021, the Bears’ offensive line led the league in sacks allowed with 58. Therefore, that has to change.

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One position the Bears need to strengthen is center. Sam Mustipher was the starter but he struggled so much that he isn’t considered a starter anymore. He’ll return, but he’ll likely be a backup.

Bears have a glaring need

That leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the line. It also hurts the signal-calling along the line. The Bears need a dependable player to cover that spot.

One player available is Brian Allen. Allen is coming off of winning the Super Bowl. Additionally, he fits the mold that Poles is looking for in his linemen. Poles indicated that he wants leaner, more athletic linemen.

Allen is 6-foot-2 and weighs 303 pounds. He just completed his rookie contract so he’ll receive a hefty pay raise. Despite that, he won’t command top dollar so he makes good sense financially. According to Spotrac, his market value is about $5.4 million per season.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler both feel Allen is a good fit in Chicago. Here is what each had to say about him.

Why it makes sense: The Bears’ new GM, Ryan Poles, was an offensive lineman at Boston College and just helped the Chiefs rebuild their offensive line as part of Kansas City’s front office.  — Fowler

Scheme fit: Allen is a smart, positional blocker who can climb off combos and get up to the linebacker level. That fits what I expect to be a zone-heavy run game approach in Luke Getsy’s new offensive system. —  Bowen

Allen did a great job with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. The NFL named him as a Pro Bowl alternate. Also, he worked well with quarterback Matthew Stafford. In Chicago, he’ll get to work and help develop a young, exciting player in Fields. Furthermore, he will jell well the linemen in Chicago and do well in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme.

Allen is also a local kid. He went to Hinsdale Central High School. After winning a Super Bowl, playing for his hometown team would be another item off his bucket list.