Keenan Allen provides update on Chicago Bears contract extension talks

Paying a premium price for wide receivers has become the new trend across the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings' contract extension with Justin Jefferson being the deal that reset the wide receiver market.

The Bears are in a comfortable spot with their wide receiving core as DJ Moore's contract expires after the 2025 season and Rome Odunze is entering his rookie deal. The only real question for the Bears at the wide receiver position centers veteran Pro-Bowler Keenan Allen.

The Bears acquired Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers this past month after the veteran was unable to reach an agreement on a new deal. Allen's contract expires after this season and while the Bears have not ruled out the idea of an extension, it seems like talks will not be visited until after the season.

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday from the Bears' mini-camp, Allen confirmed that he is looking forward to letting his play speak for itself but did not rule out the idea of remaining with the Bears for the long term.

"“I’m going to play as long as I can,” Allen said. “As far as an extension, I’m going to let the play speak for itself, and if they offer me something that I like, we’ll go from there.”"

- Chicago Sun-Times

Signing Allen to a contract extension shouldn't be a priority for the Bears. While the Bears could certainly afford to pay the premium and sign Allen to a lucrative deal, assuming he repeats his 2023 production, especially with quarterback Caleb Williams on a rookie deal, there would be better ways to use that financial flexibility instead of paying the inflating price on a 33-year-old wide receiver.

The best-case scenario for the Bears would be that Allen thrives in the Bears' offense this offseason, but by the time the season concludes, Odunze proves capable of stepping into a leading role.