The Los Angeles Chargers have bid farewell to Keenan Allen after an impressive 11-season run, trading the seasoned wide receiver to the Chicago Bears, as confirmed by the Chargers:
The announcement, first reported by Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, arrives amidst the Chargers’ urgent efforts to trim their expenses before the commencement of the 2024 NFL league year on Wednesday.
Attempting to bring their salary cap under control, the Chargers proposed a salary reduction to Allen, which he declined on Thursday, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Allen’s refusal came against the backdrop of his $18.1 million base salary and a significant $34.7 million cap hit for the upcoming season.
For newly appointed general manager Joe Hortiz, the task of addressing the Chargers’ financial woes arrived swiftly. With the league year looming, Los Angeles found itself a staggering $21.1 million over the cap.
Official announcement from Chargers that they have traded Keenan Allen to the Bears for a fourth-round pick: pic.twitter.com/XfJ6HUdKmp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2024
As outlined by ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Chargers were exploring various avenues to alleviate their financial burden, including the possibility of trading away key players such as edge-rusher Khalil Mack or wide receiver Mike Williams.
Even star edge-rusher Joey Bosa was not exempt from potential trade talks, with Fowler suggesting that the Chargers were open to parting ways with several high-earning players.
Although Allen’s name surfaced in trade discussions, Albert Breer of The MMQB suggested that his departure was less likely compared to other players. However, with the team grappling with its cap constraints, both parties were motivated to renegotiate Allen’s contract.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Allen has maintained his status as one of the NFL’s most dependable receivers since his inaugural Pro Bowl nod in 2017. His standout performance in the 2023 season, where he recorded 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns, underscored his value to the Chargers’ passing game.
At 31 years old, Allen’s departure signifies a significant loss for the Chargers, both on the field and in terms of his leadership within the locker room and his rapport with the fanbase cultivated over 11 years in Southern California.
While the Chargers’ salary cap constraints presented an opportunity for Allen to secure his future in Los Angeles, the trade to Chicago marks a new chapter in his career.
The Bears capitalized on the Chargers’ urgency, securing a seasoned receiver amidst a thinning free-agent market. With other notable receivers like Mike Evans and Michael Pittman Jr. securing new deals, and the potential acquisition of Tee Higgins requiring substantial draft assets and salary, Allen emerged as an attractive and viable option for the Bears.
As the Chargers bid farewell to Allen, they are left with a significant void in their passing game, one that will be challenging to address given their current financial constraints.
