If Keenan Allen had taken a pay cut, he wouldn’t have become a Chicago Bear.
But when the Los Angeles Chargers approached the Pro Bowl receiver about the idea, he rejected it.
The Chargers were betting $23.1 million on Allen, including $18.1 million in non-guaranteed salary and $5 million in roster bonuses.
But Allen, like former teammates Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, didn’t consider taking less money.
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Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers plays against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
“There was really no emotion. It was just, ‘I didn’t do it,'” Allen said at his inaugural press conference on Saturday. “‘I’m not doing it. I just finished my best season, so that’s not happening.’
Despite missing four games, Allen’s 108 receptions were a career high. He gained 1,243 receiving yards, reached the end zone seven times, and earned his sixth Pro Bowl berth in seven seasons.
The Bears acquired Allen and received a fourth-round pick on the cap.
After Chicago traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Allen’s new quarterback will likely be Caleb Williams.
Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers signals a first down during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Sept. 24, 2023. (Steven Maturen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles also released wide receiver Mike Williams this week, leaving Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston as the top two outside weapons. Austin Ekeler also joined the Washington Commanders as a free agent.
It was a bad year for the Chargers. After making the playoffs in 2022, the team fired head coach Brandon Staley midway through the season and quarterback Justin Herbert was injured midway through the year.
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Los Angeles has the No. 5 pick in next month’s draft, and with Allen and Williams out, they could take one of the top three wide receivers in Marvin Harrison, Roman Odunze and Malik Nabors. become.
Chicago, on the other hand, likely has top-skill players available for Williams, including receiver DJ Moore, tight end Cole Kmet and recently signed running back D’Andre Swift.
In his first year in Chicago, Moore had the best season of his career with 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. Kmet had a career-high 73 catches for 719 yards.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen looks for a call from the referees during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos on November 28, 2021 in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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The Bears also have the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft.
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