Bears' underrated defender isn't backing down from a major challenge being thrown at him in practice
With mandatory minicamp underway at Halas Hall for the Chicago Bears, the team's defense has continued to play and look like a top caliber unit but there's been one difference the unit has faced this week compared to OTAs the last two weeks.That, of course, is the return of veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen […]
With mandatory minicamp underway at Halas Hall for the Chicago Bears, the team's defense has continued to play and look like a top caliber unit but there's been one difference the unit has faced this week compared to OTAs the last two weeks.
That, of course, is the return of veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen missed the two weeks of voluntary OTAs and now has been back on the field with the offense taking on the defense during team drills.
Having Allen on the field gives the Bears' offense a new dynamic and caliber of player to throw at the defense that they haven't been prepared for.
Allen's skillset as a wide receiver is completely different from the skillset shown by DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Moore, as we all know, is an aggressive play-maker before and after the catch. After hearing from some members in the secondary on Wednesday, we learned that Odunze is starting to shine by making difficult catches and going up for the ball. Allen's skillset, however, comes before the ball is in the air.
The nuance and footwork Allen showcases off the line of scrimmage is second to none in the NFL and has been for years now. Even though the Bears' defense faced Allen in 2023 while on the Los Angeles Chargers, what they're seeing now is different.
"He's a receiver that's unpredictable and a lot of these guys in a league that do a lot of great things, I feel like they're not as not as unpredictable, as crafty, as Keenan is," cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. "Being able to go up against that everyday is something that can definitely help me and the [defensive backs] to get better."
The main person Allen will help get better on the practice field is third-year slot cornerback Kyler Gordon. Gordon has started to come into his own as a defensive play-maker who brings a lot of swagger and energy to the unit but Allen is someone who can continue helping Gordon hone his craft this offseason even more while lining up against him in the slot.
"He's gonna keep me disciplined," Gordon explained. He's a quick touch dude as well, got a really good release. He's very efficient with the steps that he takes. So, for me, that makes me have to be even more efficient with my steps. I'm excited to keep battling him and and keep getting better."
It's not just Gordon that Allen will help shape by running routes against him during practice. Even though he's become known as a slot specialist, Allen still has the ability to move anywhere on the formation and attack the defense. This movement in the formation also leads to different styles of play-makers lining up in front of Gordon.
"When [the offense] moves people in and out of the slot, he'll have to go against different skill sets, which I think is great," head coach Matt Eberflus explained. "We talked about that when we drafted all these guys and acquired these guys about how that's going to help everybody. With the big body that Keenan has and the craftiness that he has, that will certainly help Kyler get better. He's an exceptional player."
A lot has been said about the impact Allen will have as a leader in the wide receiver room and being a QB-friendly target, but his impact facing the defense makes his value to the team even more worth it. And as minicamp rolls on and into training camp, Gordon and the rest of the defensive backs seem to be eager to face the challenge of guarding a player like him.
