Oakland Raiders cut safety Nate Allen

Nov 29, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Craig Stevens (88) catches a pass for touchdown against Oakland Raiders strong safety Nate Allen (20) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

In a move that many across the NFL expected, the Oakland Raiders cut safety Nate Allen on Tuesday. Allen made only one season after signing a 4-year, $23 million free-agent contract with them. That’s usually what happens when you play in just five games after signing such a deal.

He was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return after suffering a torn MCL in the first quarter of the Raiders’ Week 1 loss to the Cinciinnati Bengals. When came back and played, it wasn’t pretty for the veteran as he struggled mightily in coverage. Allen was due to make a guaranteed $4.9 million salary for 2016 if he was on the roster Wednesday.

General manager Reggie McKenzie was widely criticized for signing Allen to this deal but there’s nothing not to like about it. Sure, it was a pretty big contract but Allen was once a good free safety and the Raiders had too much cap room. Plus the contract was made for the Raiders to be able to get out if Allen didn’t work out well.

Now, the expensive experiment is over and the Raiders have on salary cap ramifications from cutting Allen. After Allen’s release many expect the Raiders to go after free safety Eric Weddle in free agency this offseason. Weddle’s relationship with the San Diego Chargers soured this past season after contract negotiations went south.

The 2-time All-Pro would make the Raiders secondary, that just lost legend Charles Woodson better in 2016. And Weddle definitely wants to stick it to the Chargers, whom he believes disrespected him. The Raiders releasing Allen could very well be the first half of such a thing happening.

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