Ridley being ready to test free agency is also a leverage play for Allen's camp while he remains untagged. Why would you as Allen agree to any deal that wasn't what your top of the market expectations would be for yourself (and probably an additional premium on top) while untagged coupled with the threat of of the team potentially losing Ridley also hanging out there? Once Allen likely gets tagged and free agency begins, that leverage play is over though. Then the team has some leverage with the ability to tag him twice if need be and force Allen to shoulder the injury risk for two seasons which could potentially put his real pay day out of his grasp if the worst happens. Neither the team nor Allen should want that scenario, but if they can't reach a deal on fair compensation from both points of view that's the decision Allen will have to make. Objectively, shouldering that risk is not something he should do if the annual numbers are anywhere near the tag including the bulk of 3 years worth of guarantees. Careers can be over in a heart beat.

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