CLAD IN HIS Chicago Bears gear at the University of Southern California’s pro day on March 20, Keenan Allen exchanged pleasantries with his potential future quarterback, Caleb Williams, and Bears personnel.
It was a moment that would have seemed implausible a week before. The 2024 season was supposed to be the final year of Allen’s contract with the Los Angeles Chargers
Allen, who spent his entire 11-year career with the Chargers, made an effort at the end of last season to pledge his loyalty to the organization.
“I don’t want to go nowhere else,” Allen told reporters in January. “If it did come down to that, adios amigos.”
The 31-year-old was coming off the best season of his career. Despite being limited to 13 games after a heel injury ended his season, Allen finished sixth in the NFL in receptions (108) and 11th in receiving yards (1,243).
Because of several costly contract restructures last offseason, the Chargers were almost $20 million over the salary cap ahead of the start of the new league year. Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams and linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack had four of the five highest non-quarterback salary cap hits in the league for 2024. Allen’s $34.7 million cap hit made it likely that the Chargers would look to restructure his deal, trade him or release him.
League rules required the Chargers to be under the $255.4 million cap by 4 p.m. ET on March 13. They released Williams that day, saving $20 million in 2024, which made them cap compliant. Mack and Bosa agreed to take pay cuts that saved the Chargers nearly $24 million.
The Chargers were hoping Allen, who had been vocal about his desire to stay with the team, would also agree to a revised deal. But the two sides couldn’t agree on an adjusted contract, and the Chargers traded Allen to the Bears for a fourth-round pick (No. 110) on March 14. It was the most shocking move of coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz’s first month in their new roles and sheds light on their team-building strategy as they usher in a new era for the Chargers.
Allen has not publicly acknowledged his 11 years with the Chargers. He told reporters in Chicago that there was “no emotion” in his decision not to take a pay cut to remain in L.A. But sources close to Allen say the trade — and how the Chargers handled negotiations despite his allegiance to the franchise — stunned and hurt him.
“I obviously wanted to finish my career there,” Allen said, “but things happen, and you’ve got to keep on moving
