Keenan Allen changed agents this offseason; his new illustration could have an fascinating process forward. One of many largest names on observe free of charge company at vast receiver, Allen doesn’t sound thinking about a real open market. Forward of what could be his age-33 season, the embellished wideout is barely open to touchdown in two cities.
Allen solely needs to proceed his profession with the Bears or in Los Angeles, in response to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley. The perennial Professional Bowler joined the Bears in a contract yr, and the group is ready for a transition. It’s fascinating that Allen will preserve 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 stored the L.A. door open.
Clarifying Allen’s L.A. stance, Finley notes the 12-year veteran could 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 could be fascinating to see if one other group 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 is just not 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 group making an attempt to scale back the wideout’s pay early throughout the Jim Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz run. An extension supply 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 without doubt one of the greatest gamers in group historical past, however primarily based on what transpired this previous offseason, anticipating a big-ticket contract supply 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 group has made main modifications whereas breaking in a rookie quarterback. Allen has topped 100 yards simply as soon as this season, getting into Week 18 with 719 throughout Caleb Williams‘ rookie yr. The Bears had acquired Allen to assist the No. 1 total choose develop, however the group 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 sport 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 could be set to start — within the occasion the six-time Professional Bowler didn’t select to retire. Tee Higgins is ready 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 principally veteran-heavy crop that additionally consists of ex-Allen sidekick Mike Williams, who has not made a lot of an affect in his first post-Chargers season.
The Bears gave D.J. Moore a long-term deal this summer time and used a top-10 choose on Rome Odunze, probably 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 group wants assist right here, nevertheless, particularly with Josh Palmer headed to free company.
It’s unclear how the Rams could be, having handed on a Cooper Kupp commerce and seeing Puka Nacua turn into one of many NFL’s greatest pass-catchers. Sean McVay‘s group eyeing Allen as a complementary piece could be one thing to observe, Allen Robinson‘s Chicago-to-L.A. faceplant however, particularly if the standard route-runner sticks to his California-or-Illinois plan.
