Chicago Bears

Jared Allen on excitement of Week 1: 'Everybody's got a shot'

Published Sep. 10, 2015 12:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jared Allen has been doing this for a while. The veteran pass-rusher is about to begin his 12th season in the NFL, so his understanding of the excitement that comes with Week 1 is reinforced by years of experience.

Allen, 33, said he feels "fortunate" to have enjoyed so many season-openers, according to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson. He doesn't take any of them for granted, for he never knows if the next one will be his last.

Even though the Bears are coming off a last-place finish in the NFC North, Allen remains optimistic about the 2015 season. He spoke about the start of a new season both in general terms and in regard to Chicago's matchup with the rival Green Bay Packers, via ESPN:

I expect our best. Honestly, I expect guys to go out there and compete. And make plays. So just because it's new and it's a change doesn't mean it has to be a setback. If anything you should be energized. We're 0-0. Everybody's got a shot.

That's the cool part about the NFL. Every year stands on its own two feet and you've got a chance. You build off any success you had in the past and you remember that. And anything bad that happened to you, use it as motivation to correct.

It's Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers here in Chicago. If you can't get excited for that game, you're in the wrong business.

Allen is the NFL's active sack leader with 134.0 QB-takedowns to his name. He'll try to tack at least few more onto that total before the 2015 season comes to a close.

(h/t ESPN)