Two years ago, the Los Angeles Chargers surprisingly parted ways with Keenan Allen. Desperate to clear the salary cap to keep Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack together, they sent their franchise legend to the Windy City in return for a fourth-round draft pick.
Allen had a solid but non-spectacular season in Caleb Williams' rookie year in Chicago before returning to Los Angeles last season. Fast forward to today, and he's a free agent again, with no indications of interest from any other team.
Is This the End of the Line for Keenan Allen?
Allen is clearly not getting any younger. He'll be 34 next season, and he just started the fewest games in a full season in his entire career (3). That said, he still suited up for all 17 games, and with a projected market value of $6.8 million (via Spotrac), teams could do a whole lot worse than him.
The Chargers legend finished the season with 81 catches on 122 targets for 777 receiving yards and four touchdowns. That was pretty similar to the numbers he posted in his lone season in Chicago: 70 catches on 121 targets for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. That said, he didn't get to play in a high-octane and efficient offense like Ben Johnson's, so his numbers probably would've been even better.
For better or worse, Allen served his purpose in the Windy City. He was there during Caleb Williams' rookie season, mentored Rome Odunze, and gave the team some steady hands to keep the chains in motion. Expecting more from him at that point in his career, even coming off a great season, was probably just wishful thinking.
Now, one can only wonder whether this is the end of the line for him. The Bears could use him as a rotational piece after Olamide Zaccheaus and DJ Moore left, but not much more. Also, the fact that he went right back to the team that blindsided and traded him as soon as he became a free agent hints at a desire to play in Los Angeles and Los Angeles only.
That makes sense, given that his family has set up camp there, but still, it limits his options. He's no longer at the peak of his powers, and with a stacked WR class, his value might be even lower than Spotrac's projections. As things stand now, it looks like, unless the Chargers bring him back, we may have seen the last of him in an NFL gridiron.
More Chicago Bears News and Rumors:
Add us as a preferred source on Google