The Chicago Bears pulled off a major trade late Thursday night, acquiring superstar wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers. Here are my 3 big takeaways from the move.
Ryan Poles had a plan
I'll be honest: I was really concerned about the Chicago Bears wide receiver room. Before acquiring Keenan Allen, the lineup consisted of DJ Moore, Tyler Scott, and Velus Jones Jr. It wasn't looking good. Sure, they could have drafted someone next month, but relying on a rookie seemed risky, regardless of how talented this year's class is.
But then, Ryan Poles took a big swing. He worked the phones and capitalized on another team's desperation, landing a deal for a superstar wide receiver. Keenan Allen doesn't rely on speed; his strength lies in is unique build and precise route running. Despite being 31 years old, his playing style suggests he has at least another 2-3 years of playing at high level. This move significantly boosts the Bears receiving corps, pairing Allen with DJ Moore to easily form one of the league's top duos, arguably even top three.
Plus, with the 1st and 9th overall picks in the draft, the Bears have even more ammo to strengthen their roster. I'll admit, I had my doubts for a while, but Ryan Poles has once again proven me wrong.
Bears sent a message
Ryan Poles trade for Keenan Allen sends a clear message: the Bears are focused on winning immediately. In 2024, their goal isn't just to compete but to win the NFC North and make a strong playoff push. Regardless of who's under center, whether it's Caleb Williams or Justin Fields, the team is set up for success. With additional offensive weapons and revamped coaching, and a defense that's already performing at a near-top level, it's evident that Poles is expecting to win and willing to make big moves to achieve that goal for 2024.
Keenan Allen extension is likely on the way
Allen joins the Bears from Los Angeles with a significant $23.1 million cap hit, making him the team's second-highest paid player for the 2024 season. However, Allen's contract is due to expire after this season. It wouldn't be surprising if GM Ryan Poles is already in talks for a 2-3 year extension. Despite taking on Allen's cap hit, the Bears still hold the 5th spot in the NFL for available cap space. While some of this will go towards the upcoming draft class, there is room for flexibility. Opting for a one-year rental by giving up a 4th round draft pick doesn't appear to be a good business move, and Poles likely understands this better than most. I expect a new deal to be announced soon.
Breaking Down Bears Free Agent Additions And Latest Rumors With Bears Now Host Harrison Graham
In the most recent episode of the BFR Podcast, presented by Sports Mockery, Dave and Ficky spoke with Bears Now Host Harrison Graham from Chat Sports. During their conversation, they broke down the Bears free agent additions and latest rumors, and a lot more. You can listen to the podcast on like Apple and Spotify, or any other podcast app you usually use. Also, the show is on YouTube, so you can watch it with the video provided below.
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