Earlier in the Chicago Bears' 2026 offseason, there appeared to be a clear fit for the return of veteran receiver Keenan Allen. The aging star was with the Bears in Caleb Williams' rookie season, finishing with 744 receiving yards and seven touchdowns before returning to the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2025 season. Allen continued to offer a consistent target a season ago, improving his yardage total from his time in Chicago, offering the Chargers 777 receiving yards and being a consistent security blanket for Justin Herbert.
With this in mind, a reunion made sense at the onset of the offseason when DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus both departed the franchise. Allen wasn't a piece that would threaten the ability of Rome Odunze or Luther Burden to become a primary target, while clearly offering an established level of support that appeared needed.
Minicamp and leading into training camp, this changed with Odunze proving himself healthy and the surprise emergence of receiving options. Veteran Kalif Raymond reunited with Ben Johnson and had an instant impact in practice, flashing impressive speed and showing the impact he can have as a secondary weapon within the offense.
Leading us to rookie Zavion Thomas, who has been undeniably impressive during the offseason and leading into camp. Thomas is the perfect third option for the Bears at the position and appears to be making a push to take the final starting job behind Odunze and Burden.
Bears no Longer Appear to be Potential Fit for Free Agent Receiver Keenan Allen
Allen is an accomplished receiver and a respected voice who could still play a role for the Bears at some point in the future. It would make sense to see the pass catcher transition into a coaching role when he does eventually decide that it is time to hang it up. However, there is no denying a potential return to Chicago as a player no longer appears to make sense.
The Bears have found what appears to be surprising depth at the position and already benefit from great weapons at both tight end and in the Chicago backfield. There simply isn't the needed targets for Allen to consider a signing that made a great deal of sense weeks ago.
No question, this points to the excitement around the franchise and the continued ability to add overlooked pieces in both free agency and the draft. Raymond and Thomas appear more than capable of holding down at a position that has gone from a question mark to a potential strength.
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