Insider Reveals Rival’s ‘Big Swing’ Offer for Bears’ $80 Million Star

Bears Trade

The Chicago Bears? trade for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen was surprising. And the Bears had to beat out a competitive offer to get it done.

Allen met with the media on March 15 and shed light on his refusal to restructure his contract in the final year of his $80.1 million contract to reduce his $23 million cap hit. We also learned that the Bears were not the only team trying to trade for him.

The New York Jets and Houston Texans registered interest, with the latter making an offer for Allen.

Bears Beat Texans’ Trade Package for Keenan Allen

Texans Were ‘Close’ to Trading for Bears’ Keenan Allen

?From what I understand, the conversation with the Jets was just a conversation, no serious offers made,? The Athletic?s Dianna Russini reported on X on March 16. ?The Texans were close to landing Allen in Houston to play with CJ Stroud. In the end, Bears made best offer to Chargers.?

The Bears surrendered a fourth-round pick to the Chargers for Allen, who said he wasn?t restructuring coming off his ?best? season as a pro. Allen, 32, set a career-high with 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns ? the second-most of his career ? in 2023.

His price tag and extensive injury history were not enough to scare away suitors, as evidenced by the Bears? trading for him and Allen perhaps suggesting an extension is coming.

Houston?s offer was also in the same ballpark, suggesting a competitive market for Allen.

Texans Offer for Bears? Keenan Allen Revealed

Like the Bears, Houston was in need of a slot guy. But the Bears came in with an offer that provided quality over quantity.

?#Texans got close on potential trade for Keenan Allen, who went to #Bears, with Houston offering 2025 third-round selection with a pick swap return, per league sources. Ultimately, he went to Bears for fourth-round pick 110th overall,? KPRC 2?s Aaron Wilson posted on X.

?#Texans were willing to take on Keenan Allen contract, as currently constructed with $18.1 million base salary and $5 million roster bonus, and then work on extension, per a league source. Ultimately, it’s moot point as he went to #Bears an NFC team. Texans took a big swing at trying to land him.?

Even in an injury-curtailed 2023 season, Allen recorded his sixth 1,000-yard season in 11 years.

He has one other season in which he fell just shy of 1,000 yards, finishing with 992 yards in 2020, another injury-shortened campaign.

Indeed, keeping Allen on the field will be the Bears? greatest challenge. Playing opposite a consistent threat like DJ Moore will help alleviate the burden on Allen to carry the load for the passing game like he often had to do in LA, perhaps reducing the risk of injury some.

Bears Still Have 1 Glaring Need

An argument can be made that the Bears have just one glaring hole remaining on their roster, and that is a bookend pass rusher to line up opposite Montez Sweat.

Incumbent lineman DeMarcus Walker is an option, and he was brought in to help revamp the pass rush last season. But his ability to line up across the line almost proved more valuable in a reserve role.

They could explore options like former Jet Carl Lawson, Detroit Lion Romeo Okwara, or even Ngakoue again if he is healthy after ending the season on injured reserve with a broken ankle. The Bears could even reunite Sweat with Washington Commanders teammate Chase Young.

They still have $35-plus million in cap space, per Spotrac. And while they have to plan for future extensions for several players, this season could be the one to frontload a contract for Young to put the finishing touches on the pass rush.

Their plans for the No. 9 overall pick are firmly in the spotlight now.