Chicago Bears
Notable signings: WR Keenan Allen (trade); CB Jaylon Johnson; RB D’Andre Swift; S Kevin Byard; TE Gerald Everett; C Coleman Shelton; OL Ryan Bates (trade)
Notable departures: WR Darnell Mooney; S Eddie Jackson; OL Cody Whitehair; DT Justin Jones
The Bears saved their most significant transaction for late in the week. On Thursday, Chicago traded for Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen, adding the six-time Pro Bowler in exchange for a fourth-round pick (No. 110).
Allen turns 32 next month and has had trouble staying healthy. He missed seven games with a hamstring strain in 2022 before shoulder and heel issues sidelined him in 2023. Allen isn’t cheap, either: Chicago is currently due to pay him $23.1 million this season, barring a contract restructure.
The price and risk are high — but so is the upside.
Despite missing time, Allen still ranked 12th in the league with 1,243 receiving yards. He finished with 2.36 yards per route run, the 10th-best in the league and his best mark since 2017. Potentially a perfect complement for incumbent Bears WR D.J. Moore, Allen could become a frequent over-the-middle option for Caleb Williams in 2024.
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The Bears had no choice but to extend Johnson after how dominant he was in coverage last season. Chicago got a surprisingly good deal, keeping the second-team All-Pro CB under $20 million annually while crafting a four-year contract that’s really more of a two-year deal upon closer inspection.
Signing a veteran like Byard to play alongside third-year safety Jaquan Brisker makes sense, as does adding interior line options. But the Bears’ decision to give Swift $14 million guaranteed, despite the presence of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson and a deep free agent RB market, was puzzling.
Grade: A-