Jared Allen
FILE - Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) walks off the field the team's NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore on Sept. 17, 2017. Thomas, Darrelle Revis and Dwight Freeney are finalists in their first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Thomas, Revis, Freeney picked as Hall of Fame finalists

By Josh Dubow Jan. 04, 2023 08:58 PM EST

FILE - Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas sits on the bench during an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. Thomas is one of five first-year eligible players among 28 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023. (AP Photo/David Richard/File)
Darrelle Revis among Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Nov. 22, 2022 02:01 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) celebrates with teammate K.J. Osborn (17) after scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings hang on for 5th straight win, top Cardinals 34-26

By Dave Campbell Oct. 30, 2022 05:02 PM EDT

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Broncos, Wilson edge Niners, Garoppolo 11-10 in prime time

By Arnie Stapleton Sep. 25, 2022 11:49 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas (73) walks on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. Six-time All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thomas, shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis and speedy pass rusher Dwight Freeney headline the list of nine first-year eligible players picked among the 129 nominees for the 2023 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Thomas, Revis, Freeney headline 1st time Hall candidates

By Josh Dubow Sep. 20, 2022 01:17 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith speaks to the media during the NFL football team's training camp at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Friday, July 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Vikings' ownership sees positivity from new leadership

By Brian Hall Jul. 29, 2022 06:53 PM EDT

FILE -Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)
Hester, Ware, Andre Johnson 1st-year Hall of Fame finalists

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2021 05:50 PM EST

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Saints aim to preserve playoff hopes vs. Panthers

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 01:17 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2016, file photo shows Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) smiling prior to an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Ten first-year eligible players, including defensive standout DeMarcus Ware, are among 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Ware, Mathis among 1st-year eligibles for Pro Football Hall

Sep. 22, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter eyes a tackling machine during NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Hunter returns, Vikings now looking for complementary rusher

By Brian Hall Aug. 19, 2021 04:33 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen reacts after sacking Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, in this Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, file photo. The Vikings won 30-23. Allen is a 2021 finalist for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson top Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Feb. 05, 2021 11:46 AM EST

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen reacts after sacking Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, in this Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, file photo. The Vikings won 30-23. Allen is a 2021 finalist for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid, File)
Packers Vikings 1005

Feb. 05, 2021 11:02 AM EST

FILE - Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen (69) talks to the media at a news conference after the team's NFL football training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., in this Friday, July 25, 2014, file photo. Allen is one of four first-year-eligible 2021 finalists for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Bears Camp 7/25/14

Feb. 05, 2021 10:02 AM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in NFL football's Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif. Manning, in his first-year of eligibility, was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021 on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
No surprise: Peyton Manning a Hall of Fame finalist

By Barry Wilner Jan. 05, 2021 06:02 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) is perused by Houston Texans cornerback Phillip Gaines (29) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
With 2 strong performances, Colts hoping Hilton's on rise

By Michael Marot Dec. 07, 2020 06:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2009, file photo, Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay, Wis. Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson are first-year eligible players to make the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)
Cowboys Packers 1115

Nov. 24, 2020 01:30 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2009, file photo, Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay, Wis. Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson are first-year eligible players to make the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)
Manning, Woodson, Megatron are Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2020 01:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson 2021 Hall of Fame candidates

By Barry Wilner Sep. 16, 2020 01:03 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss speaks after receiving his Hall of Fame ring during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Green Bay Packersin Minneapolis. The Vikings have drafted six Hall of Famers in the first round. None made more of a splash than Randy Moss in 1998.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
For Vikes, hard to find bigger 1st-round draft hit than Moss

By Dave Campbell Apr. 21, 2020 06:34 PM EDT