The previous week has seen new Chargers basic supervisor Joe Hortiz take main steps aimed toward cleansing up the crew’s wage cap scenario. That effort included restructures for edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, together with the discharge of wideout Mike Williams. Franchise mainstay Keenan Allen was – to the shock of many, together with the six-time Professional Bowler himself – dealt to the Bears in one other cost-shedding transfer.
[RELATED: Texans, Jets Were Interested In Allen Trade]
Los Angeles acquired a fourth-round decide from Chicago after approaching Allen a couple of pay minimize. The 31-year-old declined, citing the energy of his statline from 2023. After expressing confidence he would stay in place for at the least the 2024 season, Allen doubled down on the actual fact he was not anticipating to be dealt throughout his introductory press convention on Saturday.
[I] clearly needed to complete my profession [with the Chargers], however issues occur and also you’ve acquired to maintain on going,” Allen mentioned. When requested about being requested to take a pay minimize, he added, “there actually was no emotion, it was, I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it. Got here off my greatest season, so it’s not taking place” (h/t NFL.com).
Certainly, Allen’s 95.6 yards per sport from the 2023 marketing campaign characterize the best determine of his embellished profession. He was restricted to 13 contests, however nonetheless managed to set a brand new private mark in receptions (108) and yards (1,243). Whereas a cap hit of over $34MM would have been difficult to soak up had the Chargers elected to maintain him, their determination to chop Williams and re-work the Mack and Bosa pacts would have made it doable. Now, the WR spot faces various questions coming into 2024 for Los Angeles.
For the Bears, Allen’s arrival will give the crew a high-profile tandem alongside vertical menace D.J. Moore. Chicago has additionally added working again D’Andre Swift in addition to tight finish Gerald Everett to a new-look talent place room. The brand new arrivals (together with OC Shane Waldron, employed as Luke Getsy‘s substitute) will probably be tasked with serving to a rookie quarterback enhance on the offense’s poor exhibiting from 2023. Sustaining his robust play on third down particularly would go a protracted approach to attaining that objective in Allen’s case.
One 12 months stays on the Cal alum’s contract, so he can have loads of motivation to thrive within the Windy Metropolis in his debut season with the Bears. After seeing his 11-year Chargers tenure come to an finish, it is going to be fascinating to see how lengthy he winds up enjoying in Chicago.