After spending the first 10 years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, impending free agent Keenan Allen has spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears. Acquired via trade, the six-time Pro Bowler has recorded 47 receptions for 471 yards and five touchdowns while serving as a reliable set of hands for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. While the 32-year-old is slowing down, he remains a starting-caliber receiver who should receive interest once he hits the open market and a recent comment shows Allen has a preferred destination.
According to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Allen wants to return to the Chicago Bears and continue to grow with Williams. Unfortunately, he might not have much of a say in the matter. Chicago will have a new head coach next year, and depending on who they hire, Allen might not be a fit in the offense. If that happens, he could reunite with the Chargers or sign with a team like the Baltimore Ravens.
Keenan Allen Could Leave Chicago Bears As A Free Agent
The Los Angeles Chargers traded Keenan Allen because first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh did not believe his play justified his massive salary. While Allen carried an absurd cap hit, it’s clear the team misses his presence in the offense. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey has hit the ground running, but the rest of the wide receiver depth chart leaves something to be desired. Former first-round pick Quentin Johnston is better off in a situational role while the rest of the receivers are either unremarkable veterans or untested late-round picks.
Justin Herbert is finding a way to make it work with this underwhelming supporting cast, but he needs a better option to make this team a legitimate contender. Keenan Allen shouldn’t break the bank as a free agent, and the veteran already has an established rapport with Herbert. Bringing him back should allow the Chargers to have a strong passing attack while allowing the team to use their remaining financial resources to fix the interior offensive line and add some talent to the secondary.
More Help For Lamar Jackson
The Baltimore Ravens quest to fix the wide receiver position will carry into the 2024 season. 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers is a good player and Rashod Bateman has his moments, but the rest of the depth chart needs help. Nelson Agholor is not getting any younger, fourth-round pick DeVontez Walker cannot see the field, and trade acquisition Diontae Johnson refuses to play. Baltimore has one of the league’s better passing attacks, but they must add another player to be as dangerous through the air as they are on the ground.
Keenan Allen is not the player he once was, but the impending free agent is still a sound route runner who should find a home in this offense. The veteran remains a reliable route runner and should be able to create separation at will, especially with opposing defenses focusing on Jackson and Derrick Henry’s abilities in the running game. Additionally, Allen and Flowers working the intermediate parts of the field should open the seam for Mark Andrews and allow a few more deep shots to Bateman.
Main Photo: Cary Edmondson – USA Today Sports
