The Chargers traded wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Bears. announced by Los Angeles.
Thursday night’s deal gives the Bears a fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall), which will help free up much-needed salary cap space for the cap-strapped Chargers, while also giving Chicago a 4th-round pick (110th overall). It also has the potential to give you the best offensive weapon.
The Bears were expected to be involved in some sort of trade ahead of next month’s draft, and many expected quarterback Justin Fields to be involved. His future is in flux as the team decides what to do with the No. 1 overall pick.
Allen’s trade came as a bit of a shock, as he himself said during Pro Bowl weekend last month that he didn’t expect to leave Los Angeles.
“I don’t plan on going anywhere.” he told NFL Network..
The Chargers appreciated his strong tenure with the club, reaching six Pro Bowls.
“Words cannot adequately express what Keenan Allen has meant to the Chargers for over a decade,” President of Football Operations John Spanos said in a statement. “Keenan’s influence lives on in the hearts of our fans, in the communities he served and in the countless teammates with whom he formed a brotherhood.”Keenan Allen We can’t thank him enough for the contributions he has made to our organization on and off the field.”
ESPN reported that Allen told reporters in January that he would be traded to only a select few teams and that he would consider retiring.
NFL insider Albert Breer reported Sunday that the Chargers are in “preliminary trade talks” regarding Allen, but he also suggested Allen is “the least likely to move.”
The wide receiver holds a $34.71 million cap hit in 2024 with the Chargers, and the decision to trade Allen would free up significant space for the Chargers heading into next year.
The Chargers have been working toward cap compliance this week, restructuring the contracts of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa while also releasing Mike Williams on Wednesday.
Allen was the Chargers’ longest-tenured player before the trade, setting a franchise record with 108 yards receiving last season and finishing the 2023 season with 1,243 receiving yards.
Allen turns 32 next month.
The Chargers, who have new head coach Jim Harbaugh, hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft in Detroit.
