Bears trade Jared Allen to Panthers for reported 6th-round pick

The Chicago Bears announced the trade of defensive end Jared Allen to the Carolina Panthers, confirming an earlier report from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

Specific terms of the deal have not yet been announced by the two teams, but the Bears will reportedly receive a sixth-round draft pick in return for the five-time Pro Bowler.

"We had some depth at the linebacker position and were able to reach an agreement with the Panthers to bring a 2016 draft pick to our team in exchange for Jared Allen," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said in a statement released by the team. "Whether it is acquiring additional picks or signing players, we will continue to be aggressive in finding ways to improve our football team.

"We appreciate Jared’s contributions and wish him the best in Carolina."

Allen joined the Bears as a high-priced free-agent signing last offseason after spending time with both the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings over his first 10 years in the league.

With the new coaching staff taking over earlier this year, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio implementing a 3-4 scheme, however, his skill set as a natural rush end was no longer a fit on the edge in Chicago.

Allen sat down with Pace to discuss a mutually beneficial option for both sides, coming up with a list of teams that would fit his playing style, Allen's agent told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

He should immediately step into a contributing role on a Carolina defensive front more suited to his abilities, giving the unit a much-needed pass-rush presence following both the offseason departure of Greg Hardy and the recent injury to Charles Johnson.

Allen has been one of the most consistent pass-rushers over the course of his 12-year pro career, with his 134 sacks putting him ninth among the NFL's all-time leaders and first among active players.