You probably clicked this because you’re confused. Maybe you saw a highlight of a guy named Jared Allen and thought, "Wait, is that the dude who used to hunt quarterbacks like they were elk?" Or maybe you're getting him mixed up with Jarrett Allen, the All-Star center currently holding down the paint for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Let’s clear the air immediately.
The legendary NFL pass rusher Jared Allen hasn’t played football in a decade. He retired in 2016 after a Super Bowl run with the Carolina Panthers. But if you're asking who does Jared Allen play for right now in early 2026, the answer isn't a football team.
He plays for Team Smith. On ice. With a broom.
From the Gridiron to the Olympic Ice
It sounds like a punchline, but Jared Allen is dead serious about curling. Honestly, it started as a total bar bet. Back in 2018, Allen and some buddies decided to see if they could make the Olympics in a sport they’d never played. They thought about badminton. They thought about trap shooting. They landed on curling.
Fast forward to 2026, and the 6-foot-6 "Mullet King" is genuinely chasing a spot in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Allen currently plays as the "Lead" for a competitive curling rink alongside former Olympians. He isn't just a celebrity mascot; he’s been grinding on hockey ice in Nashville and flying to Minnesota for camps for years. In late 2025, he even made his debut in the Grand Slam of Curling at the KIOTI GSOC Tahoe.
He was out there sweeping so hard he actually broke a broom. That’s peak Jared Allen energy.
A Quick Breakdown of the Teams He Used to Play For
If you’re a football purist and just want to reminisce about the days he was roping calves after every sack, here is the path he took through the NFL. He played for four teams over 12 seasons:
- Kansas City Chiefs (2004–2007): The team that drafted him in the 4th round. He was a diamond in the rough who became a sack machine.
- Minnesota Vikings (2008–2013): This is where he became a legend. He nearly broke the single-season sack record here with 22 in 2011.
- Chicago Bears (2014–2015): A short, somewhat awkward stint where they tried to make him a linebacker. It didn't really fit.
- Carolina Panthers (2015–2016): His final ride. He went to Super Bowl 50 with Cam Newton and company before riding off into the sunset on a literal horse.
The Hall of Fame Milestone
If you missed the news last year, Jared Allen is officially "immortal." In August 2025, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
It was a big deal for Vikings fans specifically. He joined the Class of 2025 alongside guys like Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe. During his speech, he talked a lot about how he never found his identity in football—it was always about the "grind" from Monday to Saturday.
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That mindset explains why he’s now obsessing over the physics of a 44-pound granite stone. He doesn't do things halfway.
Why Everyone Gets Him Mixed Up
Search engines are currently having a bit of a crisis with the name "Jared Allen."
If you see a box score today that says "Jared Allen had 12 rebounds and 3 blocks," that is Jarrett Allen (two T's). He’s the young, afro-sporting defensive anchor for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.
They are two very different humans. One is a 43-year-old retired defensive end trying to slide on ice without falling; the other is a 27-year-old basketball star in the prime of his career.
The 2026 Olympic Dream: What’s Next?
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the Winter Olympics in Italy are right around the corner. Allen has been very vocal about this being his "hard deadline." He told reporters he wouldn't continue curling beyond 2026.
It’s the ultimate "all-in" move.
His team, led by Jason Smith, has been a legitimate contender in the U.S. rankings. They’ve even beaten John Shuster’s team before—and Shuster is an Olympic gold medalist. Whether he makes the final roster for Team USA or not, the fact that a guy who spent 12 years smashing his head into offensive linemen is now a top-tier competitive curler is nothing short of insane.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Olympic Trials: If you want to see if Jared Allen actually makes it to Milano Cortina, keep an eye on the U.S. Olympic Curling Trials.
- Check the Hall of Fame: If you're ever in Canton, Allen's bronze bust is now on display. It’s a must-see for anyone who loved that mid-2000s Vikings defense.
- Don't bet against him: Seriously. The man turned a "hold my beer" moment into a professional athletic career in a second sport.
If you’re looking for a jersey to buy today, you’re looking for a Vikings #69 throwback or a Cleveland Cavaliers #31. Just make sure you count the T's in the name before you hit "checkout."