Wide receiver Keenan Allen acknowledged Saturday turning down the Chargers’ request to restructure his contract, which led to his surprising trade Thursday to the Chicago Bears. Allen said during his introductory press conference that it was simply a business decision by both parties.
“There really was no emotion,” said Allen, who spent 11 seasons with the Chargers, after they drafted him in the third round in 2013, and was one of their last links to their days in San Diego. “It was, ‘I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it.’ Came off my best season, so it’s not happening.”
Allen set a Chargers record with 108 receptions in the 2023 season, breaking running back Austin Ekeler’s mark of 107 set during the 2022 season. Allen also topped 10,000 yards for his career with 1,243 yards receiving in 2023, the second-most of his career behind his total of 1,393 in 2017.
Allen was selected to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his career.
“I’m definitely excited about the new opportunity (with the Bears),” Allen told reporters in Chicago. “Being with a new organization, this organization has a lot of tradition. Obviously, I wanted to finish my career (with the Chargers), but things happen and you’ve got to keep on going.”
The Chargers swapped Allen, 31, for a fourth-round pick in next month’s draft. He said the Houston Texans and New York Jets also were interested in acquiring him. He has one year remaining on the four-year, $80.1-million extension he signed in 2020. He is due a $5 million bonus Sunday.
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Allen said he’d like to stay in Chicago with a contract extension.
“Just continue doing what I’ve been doing,” he said of adjusting to playing with a new team after spending his entire career with the Chargers. “Nothing changes but the jersey for me. That last name’s still going to be on the back.”
STICK, FORD SIGN
The Chargers made official the signings of backup quarterback Easton Stick and defensive tackle Poona Ford. Stick spent the past five seasons with the Chargers, starting their final four games of last season after Justin Herbert was injured. Ford has played with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.