Now that Ben Johnson is the Chicago Bears head coach and the key names on the coaching staff have been assembled, it is time to shift the focus towards free agency.
One of the bigger free-agent names from the current roster is Keenan Allen. Allen has stated that the Bears are one of just two teams that he would play for next year. However, unless he comes in on a veteran minimum salary, the Bears should tell him to explore other options.
Allen was once a very good wide receiver but is going to be 33 in 2025. Most receivers start to fall off around the age of 30. While Allen has pushed off the regression, it has hit him. Allen still had 121 targets last year, but his 57.9% catch rate is by far the lowest of his career with his career rate being 68.1% and his lowest rate before that touching 63.6%
Allen also averaged 6.1 yards per target, which was well below his career average of 7.9. The offense can be blamed for some of this, and even D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze had issues because of it.
Still, Moore averaged 6.9 yards per target with a 70% catch rate while Rome Odunze was at 7.3 despite a 53.5% catch rate. He caught less of his targets but was so much more efficient that the incompletions were worth it.
Moving on from Keenan Allen would be wise for the Chicago Bears.
The Bears should expect Odunze to become the number two wideout, and if he gets more work, the need for someone like Allen will be much lower. While the team will need a wideout, they can go much younger and find some potential. They could also add a name that would likely be cheaper on the salary cap, which would allow them to address other positions.
It was worth a shot with Allen but it did not work out and now the Bears should move on.