The Chicago Bears are making bold moves in free agency, as evidenced by their recent trade with the Los Angeles Chargers to acquire wide receiver Keenan Allen in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Both teams have officially confirmed the trade.
At 31 years old, Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler, is heading into the final year of the contract extension he signed in 2020, with a $5 million bonus due next week. He is now poised to play a significant role in the Bears’ offense alongside DJ Moore.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles expressed his enthusiasm about adding Allen to the team, stating, “His impressive track record speaks for itself, and we are excited to see how he enhances our offense.”
It’s worth noting that Allen’s refusal to take a pay cut from the Chargers ultimately led to the trade.
For the Bears, this trade addresses a key need in their lineup. Coach Matt Eberflus emphasized the importance of bolstering their receiver position, particularly in light of their limited depth. He highlighted the impact of strategic additions to the offense, stating that a balanced lineup with dynamic players can be challenging for opponents to defend against.
Allen’s impressive performance last season—logging 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns—illustrates his potential to make a significant impact for the Bears. During his time with the Chargers, Allen developed a strong connection with quarterback Justin Herbert over the past four seasons.
Looking ahead, Allen will be catching passes from either returning quarterback Justin Fields or potentially rookie Caleb Williams, anticipated to be the Bears’ top draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in April.
Meanwhile, the Chargers will now need to seek out new receiving targets to support Herbert.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos acknowledged Allen’s invaluable contributions to the team, expressing deep gratitude for his on-field performance and off-field presence over the past decade.
