One of the bigger decisions of the Chicago Bears' 2025 offseason was opting to draft Luther Burden as the third option. With Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore, second-year Caleb Williams already had one of the best receiver groups in the conference. It is easy to argue that if Burden and Odunze can both take the expected leaps, the trio can be in the conversation as the league's best.
Regardless, one downside of drafting Burden was moving on from Keenan Allen, despite the veteran pass-catcher having built strong chemistry with Williams.
Allen finished the 2024 season with seven touchdown grabs and 744 receiving yards. While these aren't incredible numbers, it was steady production and a reliable veteran target that had his quarterback's trust. There was still some thought that Chicago might opt to explore a reunion. However, this appears to be highly unlikely now with Allen's first team quickly closing in on a reunion.
Six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen is visiting the #Chargers today, and there is mutual interest in a potential reunion, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 1, 2025
Allen, 33, played his first 13 NFL seasons for the team before spending last season in Chicago. Now, he could be back in L.A. pic.twitter.com/RhjXl2Ca0m
Former Bears WR Keenan Allen Closing in on Deal with Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to bolster the rotation for Justin Herbert. It makes perfect sense to bring back the veteran and pair him alongside the talented young Ladd McConkey.
A big piece of why this makes sense for Los Angeles is the surprise retirement of Mike Williams. The veteran receiver's career was hampered by injuries, resulting in a still young player opting to walk away. There is a void to take the pressure off the undersized McConkey and give Herbert another option. It is just year two for Jim Harbaugh, and already the Chargers have taken an incredible leap. Bringing back a familiar face to help the next wave of young talent makes sense for both sides.
If the Bears aren't going to be able to reunite with the pass-catcher, this appears to be the best possible scenario. Allen will leave the conference and help a team that Bears fans have no emotional ties to. Los Angeles giving the former Bear a chance to end his career where he spent the majority of his time in the league makes sense as well.
Keenan Allen is no longer the dominating force he was a few seasons ago; however, both the Bears and Chargers understand the great value in having the receiver in the locker room. A knowledge that appears to have Allen locked into a reunion with the Chargers and ending Chicago's hope of bringing back a familiar weapon.