The Chicago Bears added a ton of talent in last weekend’s NFL Draft, but they still have holes they need to fill ahead of the 2026 season. One concern is at wide receiver, where they are expecting big things from Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. But there are plenty of questions behind them, which could open the door for a reunion with Keenan Allen.
Allen spent one season in Chicago, and after turning 34 this week, he may not have much left in the tank. While he’s expressed his desire to finish his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team that drafted him in 2013 may not have a roster spot for him after selecting Mississippi State receiver Brenen Thompson in the fourth round.
It was just over a year ago that Allen weighed his options between the Chargers and Bears, and while a return may be unlikely, it may be worth the Bears’ time to pick up the phone and explore a potential reunion.
Keenan Allen Return Could Be Sneaky Option for Bears’ WR Depth
The Bears’ receiver situation has plenty of talent at the top, but there are also some big questions. Odunze took a small jump forward, catching 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. But a nagging foot injury limited him to 12 games and has him entering a critical 2026 campaign. Chicago’s faith in Burden also led them to trade DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, but Odunze may have shown that a second-year leap isn’t always guaranteed.
Kalif Raymond is currently projected as the No. 3 receiver and should play a big role on special teams. But his track record suggests he may be stretched if relied upon for a larger offensive role in case of injury. The Bears also have faith in third-round receiver Zavion Thomas. But he was considered a massive reach by draft analysts as he wasn’t listed in the top 100 of Wide Left’s consensus board.
The Bears could feel comfortable with their top four receivers, but Allen would at least provide a layer of security should something go wrong. Allen didn’t have the best year in Chicago, catching 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns after being acquired in a 2024 trade. But he recorded similar numbers after returning to the Chargers, with 81 receptions for 777 yards and four TDs.
Those numbers could go up in a more proficient system like the one Ben Johnson has run in Chicago, and it would give Thomas time to acclimate to the NFL. The money will be an obstacle as the Bears have $10.7 million in available cap space (h/t Over The Cap) and will need to sign their draft class. But if the options dry up, Allen could be an interesting late target for the Bears in free agency and could add another weapon to their offense.
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