Keenan Allen provides major update on future with Chicago Bears

Los Angeles Chargers fans are still trying to come to grips with the reality that Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears.

Toward the end of the 2023 season, rumors began to emerge that Allen would consider retirement if the option no longer remained to play with the Chargers. Those rumors have been unfounded and while being officially introduced by the Bears on Saturday, the veteran wide receiver confirmed the Bears were one of the teams that he approved a trade.

Allen has a $5MM roster bonus due on Sunday. After rejecting the Chargers' offer to take a pay cut, the team moved swiftly to complete a trade. Early speculation has been that the Bears may work out a contract extension with Allen ahead of Sunday but the team is in a position where the $5MM wouldn't be a detriment to their salary cap flexibility.

Allen has a $21MM cap hit for the 2024 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next off-season However, if Saturday's press conference was any indication, Allen won't reach free agency.

All signs point to Keenan Allen signing a contract extension with the Chicago Bears.

The Bears shouldn't have much fear of regression from Allen over the course of the next two seasons. In 13 games with the Chargers last season, Allen registered a career-high 108 receptions.

A three-year contract extension with Allen would be the best outcome for the Bears with Allen. Assuming most of the guaranteed money from the potential extension is paid out during the first two years of the deal, the Bears would be leaving themselves with an out before the third year if there is a regression that begins to set in.

Regardless, the main takeaway from Saturday is that Allen is exactly where he wants to be and has no plans on leaving.

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