As the Chicago Bears march toward the end of yet another rollercoaster season, the winds of offseason speculation are already starting to blow. One name popping up like an overthrown pass is wide receiver Keenan Allen, whose stint in the Windy City has been more of a light drizzle than the thunderstorm fans were hoping for.
Allen, a former Los Angeles Chargers star acquired by the Bears for a modest fourth-round pick, hasn’t exactly lit up the stat sheet this season. With just 368 yards, three touchdowns, and an average of 40.9 yards per game, Allen’s numbers suggest he might be cruising in the slow lane of his career. But, hey, let’s not pretend the Bears’ quarterback situation this year has been a blueprint for offensive efficiency. Still, at 32, Allen knows the clock is ticking louder than a play clock in the fourth quarter.
This week, Allen took a brief timeout from his middling season to join The Big Dog Show alongside teammate Marcedes Lewis and host David Kaplan. Naturally, the conversation drifted to his future plans, and let’s just say Allen wasn’t shy about naming names.
“I’m not playing—it’s Chicago or LA,” Allen declared, dropping his preferred destinations with the confidence of a kicker nailing a chip shot. Kaplan, ever the mischief-maker, tossed out the New York Giants as a possible suitor. Allen’s response? A laugh louder than Soldier Field on a rare Bears touchdown. “No, definitely not the Giants,” he quipped.
So, there you have it. Keenan Allen’s shortlist is as exclusive as a VIP club. The Bears are on it, thanks to his apparent fondness for Chicago’s young quarterback Caleb Williams and the team’s offensive potential (or what’s left of it). Then there’s LA, where Allen could either return to his old Chargers stomping grounds or try on the Rams’ colors. It’s not exactly shocking—Allen’s got four kids and probably isn’t keen on uprooting the family for a fresh adventure in, say, Jacksonville.
But let’s not ignore the giant elephant in Halas Hall: Does Chicago even want Allen back? Sure, he’s a seasoned veteran, but the Bears already have DJ Moore and Rome Odunze locked into contracts. At $23 million this season, Allen isn’t exactly a bargain-bin deal, especially given his drop-off in production. And let’s not forget, this is a front office that would probably rather spend on shoring up the offensive line than on a receiver who’s losing a step.
Of course, if Allen finishes strong—like last week’s promising eight-catch, 86-yard performance—he might just make Ryan Poles pause and reconsider. Then again, if he doesn’t, Allen’s offseason might involve more golf clubs than playbooks.
For now, the ball’s in the Bears’ court—or, more accurately, Allen’s hands. Whether he’s catching passes in Chicago, LA, or somewhere else (but definitely not New York), one thing’s for sure: Keenan Allen knows how to keep us all guessing. And in a season where the Bears’ biggest wins have often been moral victories, isn’t that the kind of drama we deserve?
