A possible Hall of Fame player leaving the only team he’s ever played for is never easy for fans to accept. Keenan Allen was a superstar for a decade with the Los Angeles Chargers, reaching six Pro Bowls. He has a case for being the best ever to play the position in franchise history. So when the organization traded him to the Chicago Bears for a 4th round pick, a lot of people were shocked and upset. After all, the Chargers had already unloaded Mike Williams. Cap space didn’t have to be a huge issue. Better to keep one of their top targets around for Justin Herbert.
Nope. Allen was gone, too. It appears now that the shock has worn off, Chargers fans have entered the first stage of the grief cycle. That is denial. It manifested in a recent video that, to them, shows the wide receiver being deeply unhappy with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Bolt Beat writer Jason Reed sure made it sound that way.
“One clip from OTAs does not tell an entire story but it is never a great sign when the camera audibly picks up a wide receiver sounding dejected after a throw from the quarterback. Williams is going to be just fine as an NFL pro but it may take some time until he is on the elite level that Herbert is currently on.”
For those curious, here is the offending video below. It shows Williams going through an early warmup session with Allen running a route. He has to slow up before making the catch.
This feels like people projecting their desired feelings onto Keenan Allen.
Nothing about that clip suggests the wide receiver was dejected or frustrated with Williams. It was a casual throw during a warmup drill. You cannot possibly read into a player’s feelings from that. His outburst was likely a dig at Williams for being too casual on the throw. Every indication out of Bears practices is that his arm strength and accuracy are on full display. There is even visual evidence to support this. Check out this dart through traffic to D.J. Moore a few days ago.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
This feels like Chargers fans do not want to admit that Keenan Allen may not miss them. Sure, playing with Justin Herbert is great, but it was evident immediately that he is a big fan of Williams. The receiver even attended the quarterback’s pro day before the Bears drafted him. One errant pass during a warmup isn’t going to suddenly change his mind. Chargers fans need to relax. Allen won’t suddenly love Chicago more after one season playing for the Bears. If and when he ends up in the Hall of Fame, he will be wearing powder blue.
Why are we being defensive about what a Chargers guy writes? Who cares what his take is?
Advice to Bears fans from the Yellow Sub: “It’s All in the Mind You Know” until the wins start piling up.
Advice to Charger fans from another Stevie: “when you believe in things you don’t understand, then you suffer…”
Not to pick nits, but why do we care what Charger fans think about a few pics and comments about their former star? Allen is a Bear this season, live with it. Next season, he might end up on the team that makes him the best offer, or he might come back to the Bears or Chargers at a discount, or whatever. Let’s see how 2024 shakes out before we make any pronouncements.
Best WR in franchise history? Perhaps. But my mint Lance Alworth RC says, nope.