Keenan Allen outright admits he may leave Bears to rejoin Chargers

The LA Chargers made the hard decision to trade Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears in March. Needing to free up salary-cap space to become cap-compliant, the Chargers traded Allen to Chicago for just a fourth-round pick after failing to come to terms on a contract extension that could have created the necessary cap space.

Allen did not have any more success in negotiating an extension with the Bears as no deal was made before the season. The veteran wideout has since gotten lost in the shuffle in a disappointing Chicago offense, lowering his free-agency value in the process.

Allen, who is an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season, was pretty candid about his future during an appearance on David Kaplan's The Big Dog Show. Allen outright admitted that he would only re-sign with the Bears or go back to LA. The veteran wideout is not interested in any other path.

Keenan Allen says he is only playing for the Bears or the Chargers

Allen did not specify the Chargers but he did say "back to LA". It is pretty safe to say Allen was mentioning a return to the Chargers, not a return to the city of Los Angeles to play for the Rams. Plus, the Rams have no real reason to sign Allen, anyway, with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

This is a pretty big deal as players are rarely this candid about their futures. Allen makes it pretty clear he wants no part of signing with a bad team like the New York Giants. He either wants to stay put where he is at, or return home.

Granted, Allen's attitude could change if neither the Chargers or Bears want to pay him, or if a contending team comes over the top with an offer he cannot refuse. Allen's preferred destinations are now undeniable, though, and this officially opens the door for a reunion next season.

After all, the Chargers were in extension talks with Allen before trading him so there is interest in having him past 2024. It was the figures of the contract where the two sides disagreed. After Allen's 2024 season, the two sides are likely more aligned.

Los Angeles desperately needs to add wide receiver help in the offseason and while Tee Higgins has become many fans' dream target, nobody would scoff at the idea of bringing Allen back. Giving Justin Herbert his old security blanket to pair with his new security blanket (Ladd McConkey) would only result in good things.

Plus, it would give Allen a chance to earn his rightful spot atop the Chargers' franchise-receiving leaderboard. Allen is second in Chargers history in both receptions and receiving yards, trailing Antonio Gates by 41 receptions and 1,311 receiving yards. One more season in LA would give him the receptions record, two more would cement the receiving yards record.

This record-breaking reunion could now be a reality after Allen's comments.