Trading for Allen
A lot of people might disagree with this one. Wide receiver Keenan Allen has been one of the best wide receivers in the league since he hit the scene in 2013. He was the NFL’s 2013 Offensive Rookie of the Year, the 2017 Comeback Player of the Year (after an injury limited him to just one game in 2016), and a six-time Pro Bowl player.
Allen has certainly had a great career. However, he is in the twilight of his career. Some may argue that he still has plenty in the tank after having a Pro Bowl season in 2023. Sure, that was great. He will be 32 years old when the season begins. That means he has more years behind him than in front of him.
One thing to look at when analyzing older players is injuries. Since he turned 30, Allen missed 11 games. Add to that his previous injury history. Before he hit 30, he missed a total of 32 games. A player’s body does not get better after he turns 30. Those injuries start to pile up.
Furthermore, Allen will be a $23.1 million salary cap hit. Poles has been very disciplined in his salary approach. He has refused to overpay for players, especially older ones. Now, though, a 32-year-old will have the second-highest cap hit on the roster.
The only other players who have a $20 million+ cap hit in 2024 are defensive end Montez Sweat and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. However, Sweat is 28 years old and Edmunds is 26. Wide receiver D.J. Moore, was a $20 million cap hit in 2023, but this season it is about $16 million. Additionally, he was 26 when Poles and the Chicago Bears acquired him last year.
Furthermore, Sweat, Edmunds, and Moore are on multi-year deals. Sweat is starting a four-year deal in 2024. Edmunds signed a four-year deal last year, and Moore had three years left on his deal when the Bears traded for him. Allen, however, is in the final year of his contract. He even considered retirement when the Los Angeles Rams approached him on restructuring his contract he refused. He even considered retirement.
Allen may have a big year. On the other hand, he may have an injury-filled season. At his age, either one could be a likely occurrence. Even if he has a good season, the odds are low that he will re-sign. When a player already has retirement on his mind the end is near. At 32, he will not be a part of the Chicago Bears’ future. Again, Poles gave up a fourth-round pick. Seeing how few picks he has now, that was a valuable pick.
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