The Bears are acquiring Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Chargers in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall), NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday night. Bears have added a six-time Pro Bowl wideout in Allen, who was approached about taking a pay cut by the Chargers, but declined, Rapoport reported.
Trade Breakdown:
Allen, who turns 32 next month, had a cap hit of $34 million in 2024 (the last year of his current deal). Allen had one of four $30-million-plus cap hits on the Chargers books, along with Wide Receiver Mike Williams and pass rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. Former Chargers GM Tom Telesco put the Chargers in significant cap hell leaving the new GM Joe Hortiz with tough decisions to make. Trading Keenan Allen wasn’t ideal but it was the right move.
Los Angeles released Mike Williams on Wednesday and restructured Nick Bosa and Khalil Mack’s deals on Thursday to retain them. With Allen apparently unwilling to budge on his contract, he’s now being traded after 11 seasons with the Bolts in a move he didn’t see coming as recently as February when he made his latest Pro Bowl trip. Trading Keenan opened up 23.1 million in cap space for the Chargers. This is significant, and will allow the Chargers to sign at least two quality free agents at 12 million each (give or take) which could fill two badly needed roster components. Chargers could also stretch that money into three solid FA signings. Its pretty clear now that the Chargers will be drafting WR Malik Nabers with the 5th overall pick in the 2024 draft to fill a big void.
As for the Bears, this was a great addition. The Bears will be drafting a new rookie Quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2024 draft. That will most likely be Caleb Williams from USC. Bears have had a great start to free agency maximizing their offensive weapons for there soon to be, rookie QB. Here is a look at the Bears offensive weapons.
RB: D’Andre Swift
WR: DJ Moore
WR: Keenan Allen
TE: Cole Kmet
TE: Gerald Everett
Bears are really loading up and if they can finally hit on a QB they will be a legit threat for years to come.