The Chicago Bears were able to Keenan Allen for such a bargain of a trade offer because of the age and contract situation that Allen brings. Allen is 32 years old, which is about the time that a receiver can start to see his play fall off. This is also the last year of his deal. While he may not repeat the 1,243-yard season he posted in 2024, there is reason to believe that Allen will not fall off this year.
3. Keenan Allen brings an ‘old man game’ to the Chicago Bears
One of the big reasons why Allen was able to succeed at his age this past season is because of his style of play. Allen is not the biggest, fastest, or strongest receiver. His 40-yard dash time was listed at 4.71. Even if he is faster than that, the receivers who have the dominant physical traits are the ones who fall off. The receivers who age well into their 30s win because they are smart, savvy, and know how to run routes and get open.
Allen has a refining trait and it is his footwork. That will certainly catch up to him at some point, but he should age a lot more gracefully because he can get open. Also, he has seen every defensive back in the NFL, and he knows their strengths and weaknesses. Allen wins by attacking weak spots and getting open.
He may not be overwhelmingly dominant, but he will get open and will catch footballs. That is all that you could ask for.
2. Keenan Allen will work out of the slot for the Chicago Bears
For his career, Keenan Allen has run 45% of his routes from the slot, per PFF. Allen ran 59% of his routes from the slot this past season, and 65% the year prior to that. This is where he lives.
The good news is that he will probably line up more in the slot with the Bears than he did in those two seasons. The Bears obviously have DJ Moore, who will play a little bit in the slot. However, he is at just 22% for his career and was at that 22% last year as well.
Rome Odunze can play the slot at times, but the best of his game is down the sidelines, hauling in deep passes. So, Odunze is best outside, as is Moore. We are going to see Keenan Allen win in the slot.
When you look at the players who still put up 1,000 yards despite being 32 years you see names such as Hines Ward, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Julian Edelman, and Adam Thielen. We are talking about players who were able to win from the slot, sit in the soft spots of the zone, and haul in passes to pick up first downs. This is exactly what the Bears will ask Allen to do, the fit makes too much.
1. Keenan Allen will not be the top threat
This goes back to the last slide, and the reality that Allen will almost solely play out of the slot. It is hard to draw all defensive attention to the slot in the first place, but with the Chargers it was often the game plan to take away Allen. That will not be the case this year.
Moore is the top receiver. He will be working from the outside, and he brings talent near the line of scrimmage and after the catch, as well as to the middle of the field and down the field. He must be accounted for by the defense. This is going to draw softer coverage.
Allen has played with Mike Williams, but he has never had two outside threats like Moore and Rome Odunze. All three having this level of talent makes life easier for the group. Keenan Allen should have a good year in 2024.