WR Keenan Allen addresses Chargers departure

Los Angeles acquired a fourth-round pick from Chicago after approaching Allen a couple of pay minimize. The 31-year-old declined, citing the energy of his stat line from 2023. After expressing confidence he would remain in place for a minimum of the 2024 season, Allen doubled down on the very fact he was not anticipating to be dealt throughout his introductory press convention on Saturday.

“[I] clearly wished to complete my profession [with the Chargers], however issues occur and also you’ve obtained 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 finest season, so it’s not taking place” (h/t NFL.com).

Certainly, Allen’s 95.6 yards per recreation from the 2023 marketing campaign represents the best determine of his adorned 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 $34M would have been difficult to soak up had the Chargers elected to maintain him, their resolution to chop Williams and re-work the Mack and Bosa pacts would have made it doable. Now, the WR spot faces various questions getting into 2024 for Los Angeles.

For the Bears, Allen’s arrival will give the workforce a high-profile tandem alongside vertical risk D.J. Moore. Chicago has additionally added operating again D’Andre Swift in addition to tight finish Gerald Everett to a new-look ability place room. The brand new arrivals (together with OC Shane Waldron, employed as Luke Getsy‘s alternative) will likely be tasked with serving to a rookie quarterback enhance on the offense’s poor exhibiting from 2023. Sustaining his robust play on third down specifically would go a protracted option to reaching that objective in Allen’s case.

One yr stays on the Cal alum’s contract, so he could 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, will probably be fascinating to see how lengthy he winds up enjoying in Chicago.