Jared Allen to the Bears is actually good news for the Seahawks

Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) celebrates the win over the Arizona Cardinals late in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Allen signed a mega-deal with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday ending the Seahawks chances of landing the veteran defensive end.

But there is no need to worry.

Sure, the Seahawks could have used Allen’s talents but they never really needed him on their defense which is already among the league’s best.

The Seahawks have already re-signed Michael Bennett to play right end and Cliff Avril or Bruce Irvin could replace Chris Clemons at left end, so did the Seahawks really need Jared Allen?

Seattle’s bigger weakness this offseason is the offensive line, and since Golden Tate has jumped to the Detroit Lions, perhaps the wide receiver position.

Now that Allen has left to the Bears and defensive tackle Henry Melton signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the Seahawks can focus on upgrading the offense rather than trying to improve an already great defense.

And even better, the Seahawks now have more money to spend on Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas next season.

Wilson will make $662,000 next season, Sherman will make $1.4 million and Thomas will make $4.6 million. All three will probably want longer, more expensive contracts after their current ones expire and the Seahawks would be smart to give them what they want.

Signing Allen never really made sense in regards to the Seattle’s financial situation. Allen’s contract with the Bears is worth $32 million for four years with $15.5 guaranteed. There is no plausible way the Seahawks could have afforded the money to land the veteran.

Now that he is off the market, the Seahawks can just relax and wait for the NFL Draft to “upgrade” their defense if they want to.

And, more importantly, they can spend the money they would have spent on Allen on a different position player that they actually need.

They are still reportedly interested in bringing back Sidney Rice and they are also looking for offensive lineman to replace Breno Giacomini who signed with the New York Jets and Paul McQuistan who left for the Cleveland Browns.

While it is disappointing that Allen will not join the defending Super Bowl champs, at the end of the day, it might work out even better for the Seahawks because they didn’t land Allen.