The most shocking move the LA Chargers made this offseason was trading long-time wide receiver and fan favorite Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick. Allen rejected the Chargers' advances to sign him to an extension (which would have included an immediate pay cut), leading the team to trade him out of necessity to become cap-compliant.
Allen joins an exciting Bears team that added Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze to the offensive side of the ball. Chicago has all the makings of being one of the best stories in the league next season with Allen right at the forefront.
Allen is not the only former Chargers who is joining this exciting Bears offense, either. After trading for Allen, the Bears signed former Chargers tight end Gerald Everett to a two-year deal. As a result, Williams has an even better version of the offense that Justin Herbert has had in LA.
Everett and Allen are not alone, however. Chicago continued its trend of bringing in former Chargers this week, signing former return man DeAndre Carter to a one-year deal.
We have signed DeAndre Carter to a one-year contract
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 18, 2024
Let's get it, @DCarter_2! 💪
DeAndre Carter joins Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett as former Chargers on Bears
DeAndre Carter was a solid returner for the Chargers in 2023 who played a key role in Ryan Ficken's special teams unit. It wasn't planned this way, but Carter also played a role on offense as well as the depleted wide receiver room forced him to take more snaps than was expected of him.
Somehow the Chargers managed to upgrade at returner even though Carter was perfectly capable as the team drafted Derius Davis in the first round. Cater went on to spend one year with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he saw a dip in offensive and special teams productivity.
Carter does not project to be much of an offensive weapon at all for the Bears as he will be competing for a roster spot as the team's returner. With the league's new kickoff rules in full effect next season, it is imperative to build up depth at returner that can be relied upon. That is exactly what Chicago is doing.
As it stands right now, Velus Jones Jr. is the projected starter but that position is certainly up for grabs, so the former Chargers wideout has a great chance of playing a prominent role on a fun team in 2024.