Keenan Allen addresses future in Chicago with one-year contract starting to dwindle away
The Chicago Bears' 2024 season has been a lost season and it's something that could have easily been avoided.The talent in the locker room is loaded but the players were unfortunately held back by coaching and front office decisions that were made before and during the year.However, with the core in place and a new […]
The Chicago Bears' 2024 season has been a lost season and it's something that could have easily been avoided.
The talent in the locker room is loaded but the players were unfortunately held back by coaching and front office decisions that were made before and during the year.
However, with the core in place and a new head coach coming in next season, the players in the locker room are prepared to run it back in 2025.
For veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, things are different. After this season, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer will hit free agency for the first time in his career. His one-year stop in Chicago was largely a down year for the 32-year-old who will likely get a ton of interest on the open market. However, some Bears' players have been trying to make a pitch to Allen to remain in Chicago.
“You take it for what it is, honestly,” Allen said on Thursday. “It’s a new start for me, a new position and a new place. After talking with DJ [Moore] today, he wants me to run it back. So, we’ll see.”
When asked if he wants to run it back with the Bears, Allen added "Yeah, absolutely."
For the Bears' side of things, there's two ways to look at this. For starters, Allen is an incredible player who is ultra-reliable and exactly what a young quarterback needs to grow. On the flip side, keeping Allen's talent will require a sizeable deal and the team just drafted a future star in Rome Odunze at the position in the first round.
How the Bears handle this decision will be fascinating to watch. But, if the players want him back, the front office should absolutely work out a deal with Allen.
According to Spotrac, Allen's market value as an upcoming free agent has him projected to land a 2-year, $33 million deal. A $16+ annual deal would be a tough pill to swallow, especially when you're already paying DJ Moore $20+ million in each of the next two years. But, the Bears do have a surplus of cap space to work with.
A big pull for Allen to want to remain in Chicago is the stability at quarterback with Caleb Williams going into his second season. Allen returning would be mutually beneficial to both players and Allen has seen what Williams could become.
“His potential is through the roof,” Allen explained. “You see that through the weeks. He’s still having good games. His QBR is great. This turnover percentage is great. Just being about to do that, and learning the defenses and the offenses at the same time is tough in itself. I think the sky’s the limit for his talent.”
The other thing that will weigh into this decision for Allen is the upcoming coaching staff the team puts in place for next season and beyond. Allen spoke openly about the issues with former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and former head coach Matt Eberflus. He's also had a lot of respect for interim head coach Thomas Brown and the newly appointed offensive coordinator Chris Beatty, whom Allen has spent previous time with in Los Angeles.
“Keenan is the smartest player I’ve ever seen," Beatty said on Thursday. "He’s the smartest football person, not just player. He sees stuff different than the rest of us. He’s a play ahead, just like a coach would be. What he has done over the last three weeks since the initial change, he’s been my conduit for those guys… He’s taken a little bit bigger of a leadership role. He’s really not as outgoing as you guys think he is. But he’s been a little bit more.”
Since making the coaching change on offense, Allen's production has skyrocketed hauling in 18 receptions for 200 yards and three scores over the last three games. Nailing the next hire is going to be important not only for the Bears, but for Allen too.
He's an incredible player you'd hate to see walk out of the door, especially if he has the desire to run it back with the rest of the offense.
Thomas Brown has the Bears’ top two play-makers performing among the best players at their position over the last two weeks
Will the trend continue in Week 14?
