Keenan Allen trade details: Bears acquire star WR from Chargers for draft pick

Star wide receiver Keenan Allen is on the move. The Bears have acquired Allen from the Chargers, bringing in a top-tier weapon for their quarterback of the future.

Chicago has been active in trade discussions all offseason as it looks to move off of starting QB Justin Fields. The Bears own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and all reports indicate that they intend to select USC Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

As Chicago looks to load up on offense for its top pick, it adds six-time Pro Bowler Allen, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his 11-year NFL career.

What did the Bears give up to land the 31-year-old? The Sporting News has you covered with trade details below.

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Keenan Allen trade details

Bears get:

• WR Keenan Allen

Chargers get:

• 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall)

The Bears only had to give up a fourth-round pick to land one of the NFL's best wide receivers.

The Chargers reportedly approached Allen about taking a pay cut Thursday, but when he declined, Los Angeles decided to trade him to Chicago, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

The Chargers already forced pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack to renegotiate their contracts to remain in Los Angeles. They also cut wide receiver Mike Williams on Wednesday to get under the salary cap and let running back Austin Ekeler walk to the Commanders in free agency.

On the flip side, the Bears continue to stockpile assets on offense as they likely prepare to draft USC QB Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.

Allen was tremendous in 2023, tallying a career-high 108 receptions to go with 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games. He will team up with a talented wide receiver in DJ Moore, who Chicago acquired ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Bears also signed running back D'Andre Swift and former Chargers tight end Gerald Everett in free agency, building a strong core of productive offensive weapons.

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Keenan Allen contract

Allen signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension with the Chargers back in 2020. He still has one year and $23 million remaining on his deal, which the Bears will absorb.

After this contract, Allen will have racked up north of $133 million in career earnings.

Keenan Allen stats

Allen is coming off of a career year where he registered over 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth time in his 11-year career.

He is one of seven active wide receivers with over 10,000 career yards and ranks fourth among active receivers with 904 career receptions.

Keenan Allen fantasy outlook 2024

Allen posted a career-high 95.6 yards per game last season, so even at 32, it's clear the veteran receiver isn't washed up. Injuries are a real worry with him, though, shown by his season-ending heel injury last year and serious hamstring, shoulder, and knee injuries that have cost him time throughout his career. It's tough to say how he'll fare playing with a likely rookie QB in a cold-weather environment, especially with another solid possession receiver already in tow, but he's unlikely to fall off a cliff like other aging WRs.

Allen's numbers figure to take a hit (as do DJ Moore's), but he should still be a solid WR2/3, even if his week-to-week output is inconsistent. The good news is offensive coordinator Shane Waldron knows how to handle two ultra-talented WRs from his time as OC in Seattle, so opportunities shouldn't be a problem. If Caleb Williams is as good as advertised, Allen could wind up with another 1,000-plus yards and seven TDs. — Matt Lutovsky