The Chicago Bears made a significant addition to their offensive lineup on Thursday, securing a major asset for the upcoming season.
Reported by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Bears struck a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers to acquire wide receiver Keenan Allen in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. Despite playing only 13 games in 2023, Allen boasted impressive stats with 1,243 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
This acquisition bolsters the Bears’ offensive capabilities as they prepare for what they hope will be a successful campaign in 2024. With the first overall pick in this year’s draft, Chicago is positioned to potentially select the quarterback who will be connecting with Allen on the field.
Examining the Bears’ depth chart across skill positions prior to this trade reveals a promising ensemble:
Quarterbacks: Justin Fields, Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien
Running Backs: De’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer
Wide Receivers: Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Collin Johnson, Tyler Scott, Velus Jones Jr., Nsimba Webster
Tight Ends: Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Stephen Carlson
Before the trade, the Bears’ estimated salary cap stood at $57.19 million, according to Spotrac. With Allen’s $23 million salary-cap hit factored in, Chicago now boasts an estimated $34.09 million in cap space. This substantial cap room, coupled with the Bears’ status as the team with the most cap space entering free agency, enabled them to pursue players like Allen despite his veteran status at 31 years old.
Allen, a Charger throughout his entire professional career, reportedly declined Los Angeles’ proposal to take a pay cut. Shortly after, he was traded to Chicago, concluding an illustrious 11-year tenure with the Chargers.
Despite this significant acquisition, the Bears’ offseason activities are far from over. Holding the ninth overall pick, Chicago is anticipated to trade quarterback Justin Fields and potentially draft USC’s Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. Fields, who demonstrated promise in his third year during 2023, could serve as leverage to secure further assets for the Bears.
If Chicago indeed selects Williams as the first overall pick, the 2022 Heisman Trophy recipient will enter an offensive setup primed for success, with a formidable array of weapons at his disposal.
Field Yates, a prominent sports analyst, outlined the pieces in place for the Bears’ top draft pick:
- WR DJ Moore
- WR Keenan Allen
- RB D’Andre Swift
- TE Cole Kmet
- TE Gerald Everett
A promising young offensive tackle duo comprising Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones, alongside a revamped offensive coaching staff, further augments the potential of the Bears’ offense.
The Chicago Bears have encountered limited success over the past decade, missing the postseason for three consecutive years. However, with a promising offseason characterized by strategic acquisitions and potential draft maneuvers, the Bears are poised for a transformative shift that fans have long awaited.
