3 Bears on the Chopping Block After Ben Johnson Hiring

3. Keenan Allen, WR

It's not usually wise for teams with young quarterbacks to get rid of talented receivers, but the 32-year-old Keenan Allen showed signs of his age in 2024. He'll turn 33 in April and experienced his worst production since 2016, catching 70 passes for 744 yards and seven TDs.

That's solid output overall. However, he's a pending free agent who is used to commanding a hefty salary. It sounds like Allen has resigned himself to the idea of playing for a different team next year and the Bears would be wise to invest in younger receivers who can grow alongside Caleb Williams.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Allen is still a dynamic route-runner with adept hands who is a reliable threat in the red zone. In a vacuum, he's good to have. When you factor in the expected cost though, things grow dicey.

Perhaps Allen is willing to come back at a discount. He started 15 games for the Bears this year and forms a dynamic duo with D.J. Moore. If given the choice between committing a lot of money to Allen or spreading that out around the offensive line though, Johnson should clearly favor rebuilding the trenches.

Smart organizations know when it's time to part ways with aging veterans. Allen can still be a 1,000-yard receiver but wideouts don't exactly get better when they reach their mid-30s. If Johnson intends to build sustainable success, it doesn't make sense to pay Allen what he'll demand.

It's not set in stone that Allen is leaving but Johnson has no ties to him or reason to show loyalty. The Bears' offensive ceiling in 2025 is higher with Allen on the roster, sure, yet the opportunity cost could lower the floor for years to come.

Acquiring Allen was a smart move at the time, though it's now wise to let him find another landing spot outside of Chicago.

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