Six-time Professional Bowl large receiver Keenan Allen is opening up concerning the surprising commerce that despatched him from the Los Angeles Chargers to the Chicago Bears earlier this week.
The Chargers traded Allen to the Chicago Bears in trade for a fourth-round decide on Thursday, sooner or later after Los Angeles launched large receiver Mike Williams. Allen confirmed that the Chargers had requested him to take a pay reduce or restructure his contract, as linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack agreed to do. He mentioned he declined.
“There actually was no emotion, it was, I am not doing it,” Allen mentioned of the workforce’s request. “I am not doing it. Got here off my greatest season, so it is not taking place.”
Allen, who was drafted out of the College of California with the 76th general decide by the Chargers in 2013, caught a career-high 108 receptions (a Chargers single-season document) for 1,243 yards and 7 touchdowns by 13 video games. He missed the ultimate 4 video games of the season with an ankle damage.
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Allen mentioned he “clearly needed to complete my profession” in Los Angeles, “however issues occur and you have to carry on going.”
Allen, 31, mentioned he is “undoubtedly excited concerning the new alternative and may’t wait to workforce up with Bears receiver DJ Moore. The Bears personal the No. 1 general decide and are extensively anticipated to draft USC QB Caleb Williams.
“Anytime you’ve got acquired two guys that may make performs and beat man protection, it will be robust,” Allen mentioned. “That is anytime. Clearly, he is a man who’s made performs on this league for a very long time, and myself as properly. Each of us collectively, it will be fairly good.”
Allen mentioned he will “simply proceed what I have been doing” in Chicago. He added, “Nothing modifications however the jersey for me. That final title’s nonetheless gonna be on the again.”
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“I am only a pleasant man,” he mentioned. “I am a pleasant man on and off the sphere. Clearly on the soccer subject, I do know the sport. I do know the ins and outs. I do know the zones. I understand how to beat man (protection). I do know just about play the sport, so I simply suppose I am pleasant for the quarterback as a result of I will be in the precise spots. I understand how to speak with them.”