The Chicago Bears have avoided the contract drama that normally takes center stage for NFL teams during the period between the end of their offseason program and the beginning of training camp.
The only real contract dispute that the Bears had to be concerned with this offseason was the status of Jaylon Johnson. The Bears placed the franchise tag on Johnson at the start of the new league year but managed to sign the Pro-Bowl cornerback to a four-year deal a few days later.
There's not a contract extension that the Bears have to absolutely get done before the start of the 2024 NFL season and even if there was one they should focus one, Bleacher Report took the the wrong guess.
In highlighting the most important contract extension for each team, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report listed Keenan Allen as the player for the Bears.
"Considering an extension also remains on the horizon for D.J. Moore (UFA following next year), utilizing the $21.6 million in current cap to lock up Allen would be wise of Poles."Bleacher Report
Signing Allen is not important for the Bears. Yes, the Bears took advantage of Allen's contract dispute with the Los Angeles Chargers and were able to acquire him for a fourth-round pick. That doesn't put the Bears in a position where they have to sign Allen to a extension, especially with Rome Odunze being selected with the ninth overall selection.
Ideally, the Bears won't be in a position where an Allen extension is important because that will mean that Odunze has shown enough during his rookie season to prove that he is capable of starting on the opposite side of DJ Moore. To that end, given the rising market for premium wide receivers, extending Moore this offseason should be something that the Bears entertain and prioritize over a possible new deal for Allen.