BREAKING: Bears’ $23 Million WR Named Top Trade Target for Injury-Riddled Chiefs
The Chicago Bears traded a 2024 fourth-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Chargers last spring for six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen. The goal was for Allen to provide dependable support for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. However, after four weeks, that expectation has not been met. Allen has missed two games due to a persistent heel injury, and in the two games he has played, he has managed only 7 catches on 14 targets for a total of 48 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per catch.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are currently 4-0 but have recently lost their dynamic wide receiver, Rashee Rice, for an indefinite period. They are also without another key receiver, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. This lack of depth at receiver for quarterback Patrick Mahomes has led to speculation that the Bears might consider trading Allen.
NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager identified four wide receivers he believes Kansas City general manager Brett Veach could consider for trade discussions: Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns, Jalin Hyatt of the New York Giants, Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams, and Keenan Allen.
Although Keenan Allen’s first season with the Chicago Bears has been disappointing, the team brought him in for a purpose. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has strong connections to Kansas City, having worked as an executive with the Chiefs from 2016 to 2021. This relationship could facilitate a mutually beneficial trade between Poles and Chiefs general manager Brett Veach.
Peter Schrager, a well-connected NFL insider, mentioned Allen as a potential trade target, suggesting that he sees some possibility in this scenario. However, it still seems unlikely.
At 32 years old, Allen is in the last year of his contract with a cap hit of $23.1 million. The prospect of finishing his career with a contender like the Chiefs could be appealing to him, but Kansas City would need to accommodate his salary and might also have to discuss a future contract with the veteran. Given the circumstances, it appears more likely that Allen will remain with the Bears.
### Allen Still Has Plenty of Time to Impact the Bears’ Offense
Keenan Allen has been managing plantar fasciitis, a condition he noted has been developing since training camp. After playing in Week 1, he missed Weeks 2 and 3 to rest his heel. He returned in Week 4, recording 3 catches on 3 targets for 19 yards. Allen believes he is improving.
“I’d rather it happen now than at the end of the season,” the veteran wide receiver remarked regarding his heel issue, according to the Chicago Tribune. “The main focus was to take an extra week off to ensure we could move past this and stay healthy for the remainder of the season.”
Keenan Allen is expected to return for the Chicago Bears’ Week 5 home game against the Carolina Panthers. The hope is that he will start to establish on-field chemistry with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
“It’s going to be great for our offense to have a guy like Keenan Allen back,” Williams stated, as reported by the Tribune. “It gives the defense something else to worry about throughout the week and on game day. His unique ability to get open in tight spaces will be a significant asset for us.”