5 Bears Immediately on Thin Ice to Begin 2025 Offseason

3. Keenan Allen - WR

Acquiring Keenan Allen made a lot of sense when the Bears decided to make the move, yet it's difficult to argue it's been a successful decision. Allen's surface-level statistics are decent, though his outsized cap hit of over $23 million detracted from Chicago's ability to build the rest of the roster.

Not much suggests that Ryan Poles would've correctly spend the money. Even still, Allen's limited production were a problem either way. Entering Week 18, he caught 67 passes for 719 yards and seven TDs in 14 games, the worst per-game figures of his career across the board. Given the need to bolster the trenches, it makes little sense to bring back an injury-prone player who will be 33 when the 2025 season begins.

Allen seemingly wants to come back, naming the Bears and Chargers as his two preferred destinations. Regardless, Chicago should feel comfortable moving forward with D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze as the top passing options so the front office can spend money upgrading the offensive line.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Allen is one of the most refined route-runners of the era. He lost a step this year though, showing his age in a way that precipitates decline near the end of a player's career.

Unless Allen is willing to take a massive pay cut, he shouldn't factor into the Bears' plans. He's an accomplished receiver but this team has too many needs in other areas to even consider signing him to the salary he'll likely demand.