Defensive end Jared Allen has his pads adjusted during the Chiefs' preseason training camp in River Falls, Wis., in this file photo from July 28. The Chiefs traded Allen to Minnesota on Wednesday, and the Vikings made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

Eden Prairie, Minn. ? Four years ago this week, Jared Allen was an unknown defensive lineman at Division I-AA Idaho State projected to be little more than a long snapper in the NFL.

Wednesday, the former fourth-round draft pick became the richest defensive player in the league.

Allen, the All-Pro defensive end who led the league in sacks last season with 151â2, was traded from Kansas City to Minnesota in a blockbuster deal.

“I have chills right now,” Allen said after signing a six-year deal that includes $31 million in guaranteed money and could be worth more than $74 million if he reaches certain incentives.

Kansas City gets Minnesota’s first-round pick, No. 17 overall, and both of the Vikings’ third-round selections. The teams also swapped sixth-rounders.