Keenan Allen's Next Team Already Down to Only 2 Choices

The Chicago Bears made it a point of emphasis to upgrade their offense in the offseason. They took Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed veteran running back D’Andre Swift in free agency.

In addition to those moves, Chicago acquired star wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick. The Bears thought they had put together one of the better wide receiver units in the NFL.

However, Allen has gotten off to a slow start in his first season in the Windy City, which isn’t ideal as he’s scheduled to be a free agent next offseason. The 32-year-old wide receiver has recorded 39 receptions (71 targets) for 368 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.

The veteran wideout is projected to finish the 2024 season with 60 receptions (110 targets) for 569 yards and five touchdowns. Those aren’t overly impressive stats for someone of Allen’s stature heading into free agency, given what he’s done in his career.

However, Allen isn’t worried about free agency and already knows where he wants to play next season.

Earlier this week, Allen appeared on “The Big Dog Show” with David Kaplan and teammate Marcedes Lewis. The veteran pass catcher told Kaplan and Lewis he wants to return to Chicago or play in Los Angeles next season.

“I will say this: I'm not playing - it's Chicago or LA.," Allen said (h/t Brendan Sugrue of the Bears Wire).

It’s not shocking to hear that Allen wants to come back to the Windy City or head back out to LA, where he had a lot of success with the Chargers. Chicago fans likely thought Allen would have a bigger impact in the passing game this season. However, that hasn’t manifested itself yet. 

The good news for Allen is that he has six more games to show the Bears’ front office that he can be an integral part of this wide receiver for at least 2-3 more seasons.

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