The Bengals signed free agent Jonathan Allen last week as a part of 2026 Free Agency. Here are five things to know about the newest Bengal defensive tackle.

1. Pro Bowl Production

Allen brings nearly a decade of experience to Cincinnati. Since his rookie season in 2017, he's been a force and has the eighth-most sacks of any defensive tackle this decade (30, 45.5 total in career). His most productive season came with Washington in 2021, where he had nine sacks on his way to his first of two Pro Bowl berths.

2. First Round Talent

After an impressive college career at Alabama (more on that below), Allen was drafted 17th overall by Washington in the 2017 NFL Draft. It was a dream come true for the defensive tackle, who was raised in the DMV area and grew up near Washington's practice facility, rooting for the hometown team.

3. Collegiate Standout

Allen made a name for himself as a freshman at the University of Alabama, playing in 13 games. As a sophomore, Allen earned First-Team All-SEC honors for the first of three straight years. He then helped the Crimson Tide win the National Championship in 2015 as a junior but decided to return to school for his senior year in 2016. During his senior year, Allen received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (most outstanding defensive player), Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player) and the Lombardi Award (top defensive lineman), was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American.

4. Multi-Sport Star

Allen was a three-sport athlete at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia, playing football and basketball and participating in track and field. On the hardwood, Allen was productive, averaging 11 points and eight rebounds, according to a CBS Sports article. He also grabbed 28 boards in one game, a school record. He threw discus for the track and field team his senior year. Despite never doing it before, he set a school record with a 147-foot throw and won the district title.

Allen started his football career playing wide receiver and defensive back before bulking up and converting to defensive line. It worked out, as Allen became a five-star prospect, notching 44 sacks in his career (including 20 in his sophomore season alone) and was named Virginia's Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior.

5. A Heart for Service

Allen's father was a nuclear biological chemical specialist in the U.S Army. As a result, Allen has worked closely with the NFL's Salute to Service initiative since entering the league and was Washington's Salute to Service nominee in 2020. Allen's uncle also served in the armed forces, as did his brothers.

Allen and his older brother Richard spent 10 months in foster care when they were children. His father, who was deployed in South Korea when the pair was younger, fought for full custody, eventually winning. Allen reflected on his upbringing and his father in a 2021 NFL.com article. While with Washington, Allen and his wife Hannah served with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a nonprofit in D.C. that helps youth experiencing homelessness.