It felt like the Chicago Bears were simply meandering through the off-season, content to add only solid role players and backups. GM Ryan Poles did not make any big moves to improve his team. That changed drastically on Thursday when he swung a late-night trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen. He will join D.J. Moore in a suddenly exciting receiver room that could be awaiting a new young quarterback with the #1 overall pick.
The best part is it only cost the Bears a 4th rounder to pull off. While the Bears now only have four picks in the draft, they have both of their top 10 selections. It wouldn’t be surprising if they traded down from #9 over to recoup some of those selections. Meanwhile, whichever quarterback they pick at #1 is walking into a terrific situation. Moore and Allen combined for over 2500 total receiving yards last season. This is easily the best 1-2 combination the Bears have employed since Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery a decade ago.
The Chicago Bears bought lots of wiggle room going into next month.
Allen turns 32 this year. If he stays healthy, it is reasonable to think the Bears have around two or three good seasons left with him. Getting to play across from Moore should make life a lot easier for him. One thing is for sure. Chicago isn’t short on firepower anymore. In addition to those two at receiver, they have Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett at tight end and D’Andre Swift at running back. Poles has done a tremendous job preparing this offense to welcome a young quarterback into the mix. That is something previous GMs never did particularly well.
Allen has one year left on his current contract with a $23 million cap hit. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Chicago Bears decide to give him a one or two-year extension to ease that problem and ensure they have him for a longer period of time. They have more than enough cap space to make it work. Whatever the case may be, the team got a lot better with this move. Not only will Allen be great on the field for them, but he should also serve as an excellent mentor for young guys like Tyler Scott.
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Poles looks like he’s in “win now” mode. History shows, that doesn’t usually happen with a rookie QB. So, Poles can trade down to #2, then trade down to #3, and then draft MHJ, like I’ve suggested since day one. With the extra picks, Poles can get one of the top edge rushers, JPJ at center, DL, and OL depth. This all looks like Fields will get his opportunity so Poles can, “do right by Justin”. IMO The team chemistry will be sky high, Poles holds true to his word with Fields, and the fans can finally be silenced about… Read more »
Ryan Poles, and only 4 picks in the draft, is like Kate Upton and PeeWee Herman, its unthinkable. Something else is going to happen. The Bears are at least 3 picks short of filling their glaring needs. Things will get interesting.
Waking up for a tequila hangover in Mexico. This was much needed great news
WOW! JUST WOW! This is what you do if you are planning on having a rookie QB on a rookie QB contract for 4 years. This signals the end for Fields more than anything they have done yet. They are loading up at skill positions and with skill players for skill player money. You don’t do that if you plan on keeping and paying Fields a 25m 5th year option and then 40+ million per year the year after that. You just don’t! Whether it’s Caleb Williams, and I think it will be, or another rookie QB, this has all… Read more »
This is a fascinating trade. First and foremost, I love it for a 4th round pick no doubt. However, I’ll tamper my emotions and look at this more realistically. Keenan is now 32 years old and is a bit past his prime. But Keenan past his prime is still better than most receivers out there. If he’s healthy, it could be one of the best trades in the last several years. It also has that ‘win now baby’ vibe. If so, I’m cool with that. Unlike many in this thread, I don’t think it has any bearing on their direction… Read more »