Keenan Allen changed agents this offseason; his new illustration can have an attention-grabbing activity forward. One of many largest names on monitor free of charge company at extensive receiver, Allen doesn’t sound concerned about a real open market. Forward of what can be his age-33 season, the adorned wideout is barely open to touchdown in two cities.
Allen solely desires to proceed his profession with the Bears or in Los Angeles, in line with the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley. The perennial Professional Bowler joined the Bears in a contract 12 months, and the workforce is about for a transition. It’s attention-grabbing that Allen will hold the door open to a Chicago signing, because the GM who acquired him (Ryan Poles) can be again. Allen mentioned early final month he wanted to re-sign with the Bears, however household causes have saved the L.A. door open.
Clarifying Allen’s L.A. stance, Finley notes the 12-year veteran can be open to returning to the Chargers or becoming a member of the Rams. Allen’s household nonetheless lives in Southern California; they might relocate if he re-signed with the Bears. It will be attention-grabbing to see if one other workforce may change the veteran’s thoughts, as sticking to this three-teams-or-bust route would considerably restrict his choices. Because it stands, nevertheless, Allen will not be making ready to be a real free agent — although he has by no means been on the open market beforehand.
The Chargers and Allen skilled a memorable fallout, with the workforce trying to cut back the wideout’s pay early in the course of the Jim Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz run. An extension provide made would have led to a discount on Allen’s $20M-per-year deal; he’s as an alternative enjoying out the contract with the Bears. Allen skilled regular success with Justin Herbert concentrating on him and trails solely Antonio Gates in receiving yards with the now-L.A.-based franchise. The previous San Diego draftee is among the finest gamers in workforce historical past, however based mostly on what transpired this previous offseason, anticipating a big-ticket contract provide from the Bolts could also be unrealistic.
Allen made it clear he has not selected enjoying a thirteenth NFL season. This Bears marketing campaign has introduced a step again, because the workforce has made main modifications whereas breaking in a rookie quarterback. Allen has topped 100 yards simply as soon as this season, coming into Week 18 with 719 throughout Caleb Williams‘ rookie 12 months. The Bears had acquired Allen to assist the No. 1 total decide develop, however the workforce fired OC Shane Waldron weeks into his first season — as criticism from Allen and D.J. Moore surfaced — and has used pass-game coordinator-turned-OC-turned-interim HC Thomas Brown as its play-caller since. The Bears haven’t gained a recreation since giving up a Hail Mary landing to the Commanders in Week 7.
Allen’s age already stood to restrict his 2025 market, as a short-term deal can be set to begin — within the occasion the six-time Professional Bowler didn’t select to retire. Tee Higgins is about to headline the 2025 WR class — if the Bengals don’t reapply the franchise tag — whereas the likes of Chris Godwin, Marquise Brown, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins and Brandin Cooks in a largely veteran-heavy crop that additionally consists of ex-Allen sidekick Mike Williams, who has not made a lot of an influence in his first post-Chargers season.
The Bears gave D.J. Moore a long-term deal this summer time and used a top-10 decide on Rome Odunze, possible limiting the place they might go for Allen. The Chargers have centered their receiving corps round second-round sensation Ladd McConkey, who grew to become the primary Chargers wideout since Allen to submit 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie. Harbaugh’s workforce wants assist right here, nevertheless, particularly with Josh Palmer headed to free company.
It’s unclear how the Rams can be, having handed on a Cooper Kupp commerce and seeing Puka Nacua turn out to be one of many NFL’s finest pass-catchers. Sean McVay‘s workforce eyeing Allen as a complementary piece can be one thing to watch, Allen Robinson‘s Chicago-to-L.A. faceplant however, particularly if the standard route-runner sticks to his California-or-Illinois plan.
