The Los Angeles Chargers Trade Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears

The Los Angeles Chargers traded Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears

The Los Angeles Chargers made a significant move today by trading wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears. In exchange for Allen, the Chargers received a 2024 fourth-round pick, which is the 110th overall selection. This trade comes as a surprise to many Chargers fans, as Allen has been a key player for the team for over a decade.

Impact on the Chargers

Keenan Allen has a sizable $23.1 million salary cap charge for the 2024 regular season. He turns 32 on the day the Bears are anticipated to select USC’s Caleb Williams as their franchise quarterback. The Chargers have been putting in a lot of effort this week to comply with the salary cap. They fired wide receiver Mike Williams, renegotiated contracts with pass rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, and now traded Allen.

Following Allen’s departure, the Chargers also saw running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett sign free agent contracts with other clubs. Josh Palmer is now the team’s top return receiver. Palmer caught 38 passes for 581 yards and two scores in a respectable season the previous year. In addition, Quentin Johnston, a first-round pick, had a rookie season with 38 receptions for 431 yards and two scores.

Keenan Allen’s Legacy

President of Football Operations John Spanos feels that words alone cannot fully convey the effect that Keenan Allen has had on the Chargers organization. Allen has made a significant impact on the team, its supporters, and the communities he has served with his accomplishments both on and off the field.

Having been selected for the Pro Bowl six times, including five straight times from 2017 to 2021, Allen has numerous franchise records with the Chargers. Among wide receivers, he leads all time in receptions (904), receiving yards (10,530), and touchdowns (10,530). In his 139th career game this past season, Allen became the first player in NFL history to surpass 900 career receptions faster than any other player.

Allen’s consistency and productivity are evident in his six 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He also recorded five of the seven 100-catch campaigns in Chargers history, setting a franchise record in 2023 with 108 receptions. One of his most notable performances came in the team’s Week 3 win against the Minnesota Vikings last season when he became the first player in NFL history to have at least 15 receptions, 100 receiving yards, and a passing touchdown in a single game. Allen finished that game with a franchise-record 18 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown pass.

In conclusion, the trade of Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears marks the end of an era for the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen’s impact on the team and the records he set will forever be remembered. As the Chargers move forward, they will need to rely on their young receivers to step up and fill the void left by Allen’s departure.