Although many were expecting a different blockbuster trade, Chicago still managed to pull it off.
On Thursday night, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears will be getting wide receiver Keenan Allen, who has been named to the Pro Bowl, in exchange for a fourth-round selection (No. 110 overall) in 2024 from the Chargers.
The story broke originally on FOX News’ Jay Glazer.
According to Rapoport, the Bears have signed six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen. Keenan Allen turned down an offer from the Chargers to take a pay cut, but the NFL and Chicago are still waiting to see what happens with quarterback Justin Fields and the team’s first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With Keenan Allen’s current contract, the Chargers were smacked with a $34.7 million salary cap. The other three players with cap hits of $30 million or more were pass rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, wide receiver Mike Williams, and this one. On Wednesday, the Lakers released Williams, then on Thursday, they reworked the contracts of Bosa and Mack so that they could keep them. Allen, who was surprised to learn of his impending trade just before his most recent Pro Bowl trip in February, is reportedly unwilling to bend on his salary and is thus being dealt after eleven seasons with the Bolts.
According to Over the Cap, Chicago has $56.3 million in cap space, although it’s possible that some calculations are still to come. The final season of Keenan Allen’s four-year, $80 million contract begins in April. His basic pay is $18.1 million, and he will turn 32 in the same month. A career-best 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns were part of his most impressive season, which he is now returning from.
According to the stats, Allen would be a fantastic complement to D.J. Moore, the field stretcher. Everyone is guessing that he will go with the first overall choice in the draft, but it is unclear if Fields or Caleb Williams will be the one throwing the passes.

Within a statement, Bears general manager Ryan Poles expressed his team’s immense excitement at the addition of Keenan. ” Keenan Allen’s body of work speaks for itself and we look forward to him elevating our offense.”
This is a significant turning point in Chargers history.
With 904 receptions and 10,530 yards, Allen is second only to Antonio Gates; the two are the only Chargers players to surpass 900 receptions and 10,000 yards. He ranks third in team history with 59 touchdowns.
The words “what Keenan Allen has meant to the Chargers for more than a decade cannot adequately be expressed through mere words,” stated John Spanos, president of football operations for the charges. “The towns he helped, the fans, and the innumerable teammates who became brothers with Keenan are all places where his legacy will endure. Keenan Allen is unique, and we are eternally grateful to him for everything he has done for our team, on and off the field.
Keenan Allen is now making the journey from Los Angeles to Chicago as part of a story about two teams experiencing historic transformations on campus.