Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he thinks a long-term contract extension will come "down the road" for new wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is entering the final year of a four-year deal in 2024. "I try to be intentional with the order that we do extensions, so we'll review that and kind of see what our order looks like. But for what he stands for, I would love to have him long term," Poles said. The Bears might look to lock up DJ Moore first, but Chicago wants to keep their one-two punch of Moore and Allen around in the Windy City long term for USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who the Bears are expected to take first overall in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite missing the last four games in 2023 with an injury, Allen had a career-high 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in 13 games for the Bolts. However, his numbers could come down in his first year in Chicago while sharing the load with Moore with a rookie QB likely running the offense.
Before the Los Angeles Chargers traded wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears on Thursday evening in exchange for a fourth-round pick, the New York Jets and Houston Texans were interested in trading for him. After restructuring his contract last offseason, Allen declined to take a pay cut in 2024 and was traded to the Bears. Even though he missed the final four games in 2023 with a heel injury, Allen set the Chargers' single-season record for catches with 108 and also led the team with 1,243 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler is coming off his fifth season with 100 catches, which is tied for third-most in NFL history. The 31-year-old has one year left on his four-year, $80.1 million extension he signed in 2020. He said he and the Bears are approaching the prospect of a new deal "one day at a time," and his hope is to remain with Chicago on a long-term basis.
The Los Angeles Chargers traded wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick on Thursday. Allen played 11 seasons with the Chargers and logged six 1,000-yard campaigns during his career with the team. With a new coaching regime and salary cap issues, the Chargers decided to move on from its veteran star receiver. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Chargers approached Allen about a pay cut, which he declined. Los Angeles, in return, shipped him to Chicago. The 31-year-old will form a dynamic duo with DJ Moore and give the Bears another offensive weapon for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who the Bears are expected to select with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, it's still uncertain who the Bears quarterback will be in Week 1 as incumbent Justin Fields remains on the roster. Allen caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns over 13 games for the Chargers in 2023. The veteran wideout will compete with Moore for targets and become a borderline WR2 in fantasy in a new-look Bears offense.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen could possibly be on the move this offseason. The organization is looking to ease its cap situation given the team is currently $20 million over the cap. That being said, the Chargers are reportedly discussing moving both wide receiver Mike Williams and Allen this offseason. Allen turned in another solid campaign with the Chargers last season. He finished with a career-high 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. The veteran wideout would certainly be able to help a contender if the Chargers are serious about moving on from him this offseason.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen said he wants to stay with the team but also acknowledged all the uncertainty this offseason given the team's salary cap situation. Allen said he'd only be open to playing for a select number of other teams and has prioritized winning at this point in his career. The 31-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the Bolts but could be cut for around $11.6 million in dead cap space. Cutting him would save LA $23.1 million in cap space for 2024 and also give him a shot to win elsewhere, because that might not be happening anytime soon with the Chargers now once again on the lookout for a new coaching staff after firing Brandon Staley midseason. However, his combination with quarterback Justin Herbert is enticing and paid off for fantasy managers that took Allen in 2023. Despite missing the last four games with a heel injury, Allen finished as a top-10 wideout in half-PPR scoring.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) won't suit up for the Week 18 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. As expected, Allen will sit out this game after missing practice all week. The Chargers don't have much incentive to run out their superstar wideout in a meaningless game. The veteran wideout has played his final game of the season. He'll carry over an $18 million base salary into next season. We'll see if the Chargers attempt to move on or stick with the oft-injured wideout. Fellow wideout Joshua Palmer (concussion) is expected to have a bigger role during Sunday's game. Although, it's tough to trust any Chargers offensive player with Easton Stick under center.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) missed yet another practice on Thursday and looks likely to miss his fourth straight game to close out the season. The Chargers basically shut their top offensive weapon down right after quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) was lost for the year and the team was eliminated from the postseason. It's a disappointing end to what was a fantastic season for the 31-year-old pass catcher. Allen managed to post a career-high 108 receptions on 150 targets for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in only 13 games played as a top-five fantasy receiver. With Allen likely to sit out in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston and Jalen Guyton should have bigger roles, although Joshua Palmer (concussion) could be making his return.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) missed another practice session on Wednesday. All signs are pointing to Allen missing a meaningless Week 18 regular season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. The 31-year-old has missed the last three games. Fantasy managers should have already come to the conclusion that they probably won't have him for Week 18 lineups. If he is inactive this weekend, Allen will finish the 2023 campaign as a top-five fantasy wideout with a career-high 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games played. It's the sixth time in his career that he's reached 1,000 receiving yards. The Bolts will continue to let rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston get valuable playing time as a top target for quarterback Easton Stick, although Joshua Palmer (concussion) could be back in Week 18.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) have been ruled out for the Week 17 contest versus the Broncos in Denver on Sunday. Allen will be missed his third straight game and can now be dropped by any fantasy managers in leagues that end in Week 17. There's a good chance neither wideout will play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, either. With both Allen and Palmer out against Denver, rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston will get another chance to prove himself, with Jalen Guyton, Alex Erickson and Derius Davis also having expanded roles as pass-catchers for quarterback Easton Stick. Tight end Gerald Everett becomes a more enticing low-end TE1 for fantasy managers as well.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) both missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday, although they were seen doing agility work and running off to the side with trainers. Neither player is likely to face off against the Denver Broncos this weekend if they don't return to some form of practice on Friday. Allen has missed the last two games, while Palmer suffered his concussion in the Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Saturday. If both pass-catchers are unable to play this Sunday, the Bolts would be down to rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton and Alex Erickson as their three starting receivers. Tight end Gerald Everett would have an expanded role as well. Palmer has caught nine of 12 targets for 160 yards and one touchdown the last two games with Allen sidelined.
