It’s Sure Sounding Like Chicago Bears Aren’t Done At Wide Receiver

Trading for Keenan Allen was an unexpected boon for the Chicago Bears. Even though he is turning 32 this year, nobody disputes that the six-time Pro Bowler can still ball. He arguably had his best season in 2023 with over 1200 yards in only 13 games. GM Ryan Poles feels he is another multiplier with intelligence and savvy to be a young quarterback’s best friend. The best part is he’ll be playing across from D.J. Moore. Defenses won’t be able to double either of them without risking exposure to big plays.

That said, there is one concern: Allen’s contract. He has only one year left on his current deal, meaning he will be a free agent in 2025. While both he and Poles have stated they’d love to work out an extension at some point, nothing is in motion as yet. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune poured further cold water on this idea.

I’d be surprised if this is high on the to-do list at Halas Hall right now. I don’t know why you would rush into an extension for a player entering his 12th season who is signed for $23 million this year, especially when it’s possible the Bears could draft a wide receiver in the first round. As I’ve written previously, the Bears probably need to redo DJ Moore’s contract before they approach Allen about an extension. They also might have to figure out what they want to do with left guard Teven Jenkins.

Poles did say Allen’s contract isn’t first in line for his attention.

Extending Moore and Jenkins would qualify as priorities. Much of this depends on how much money Allen seeks in any new deal. If he wants money similar to or more than he’s making now, that is unlikely to get a warm reception from the Bears. It would explain why Biggs strongly hinted wide receiver is very much in play for the 9th pick later this month.

“The thing is, Allen is 32 and under contract only for this season. When you’re looking at what to do with the ninth pick, unless you’re under a win-now mandate — GM Ryan Poles clearly is not — it’s advisable to think two, three, four years down the road. Who will replace Allen in 2025 if he’s not on the Bears?…

…I wouldn’t focus on what the Bears will have on the field in 2024. I would think more big picture when wondering which direction they could go with the ninth pick.”

The Chicago Bears can’t bank on Allen long-term.

Nobody disputes he’s one of the best receivers of his generation and maybe in the Hall of Fame conversation with two or three more good years, but the Bears have to think about this responsibly. Most receivers lose steam around their early 30s. Some can extend that to around 35 or 36 if they’re excellent athletes and/or elite route runners. Allen is definitely the latter, but he also has a growing history of health issues in recent seasons. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears viewed him as more of a rental this year while looking to add a blue-chip talent at #9 who can replace him long-term after this season.

It isn’t a bad plan. The widespread belief regarding this 2024 receiver class is it’s loaded at the top. Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze are all considered top 10 talents. Guys who can make an immediate impact wherever they land. If one of them falls to the 9th pick, and it’s worth notinthat g three receivers have never gone in the top eight of any draft in history, the Chicago Bears have tconsiderut taking one. It will give their young quarterback enough weapons to excel early, something that has never happened before in franchise history. They often say the start of a career can dictate how everything unfolds from there.