Former Bears offensive weapon must get a Ryan Poles call as soon as possible

NFL free agent wide receiver Keenan Allen remains available following his lone season with the Chicago Bears.

The fact that the six-time Pro Bowler is struggling to find a new home has shocked many in the NFL world. He's considered one of the best free agents available, according to USA Today.

Should Allen still be a free agent or should Chicago bring him back?

Bears general manager Ryan Poles and the front office must do the right thing and re-sign Allen. Not only would this move bring a veteran presence back to the locker room, but Allen's dynamic playmaking ability would benefit the entire offense.

Throughout his 12-year stay in the NFL, Allen has seen it all. He's one of the rare wide receivers who has stayed in the league so long that they can say they've gone up against the likes of Darrelle Revis and Patrick Surtain II in their career. He's seen every coverage. And he knows how to find the soft spot in a defense. This type of experience is a tremendous asset for any team, especially the Bears, a young and hungry team looking to compete in the NFC North.

Allen, known for his route-running, plays football as if it's basketball on grass. He can run every route very well and has the agility and vertical to make spectacular catches on contested deep balls. We witnessed this all the time during his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Oddly enough, this type of receiver is a perfect fit for new head coach Ben Johnson's vertical offense. After establishing the run, Allen is the type of receiver who can make any defense pay for stacking the box.

While Allen had a solid campaign with the Bears, there's no question his production would improve in Johnson's high-flying system. Just imagine Allen running a post corner and then catching a dime throw by Caleb Williams near the sideline? This could be the case every Sunday if they give Allen another chance.

When it comes to young quarterbacks, the most important factor in their success is the offensive play caller, which is in decent shape since Johnson was hired. The second most crucial factor is continuity on offense. This means Williams is throwing to the same receiving corps as last year, with a few improvements. Not bringing back Allen would put Williams at a considerable disadvantage.

It seems a little ridiculous considering these are professionals, but it really is crucial for a young quarterback to have similar offensive personnel going from one year to the next. Without Allen, the Bears lose a veteran presence that Williams was comfortable throwing the ball to. Not re-signing Allen could be a major afterthought for the Bears if Williams regresses.

Some might be wondering why bringing a 33-year-old wide receiver back is so important. These concerns are valid, but Allen's production remains solid. He hauled in 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns last season. His speed and route-running are why he remains an offensive threat.

Wide receivers typically start to slow down in their 30s. However, if Allen hasn't shown any signs, why not bring him back?

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Besides the Bears, Allen has also been heavily linked to the Miami Dolphins, where he'd join Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in a talented wide receiver room.