Jim Harbaugh denies the chance to throw dirt on former Chargers' WR Keenan Allen

Even after the LA Chargers became cap-compliant this offseason the team still opted to make an extremely surprising move that the fanbase was not ready for. Los Angeles traded Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick, ending Allen's 11-year tenure with the team.

There have been some conflicting stories coming out of the Chargers' camp and Keenan Allen's camp since the trade. Allen had a stone-cold response to his former team's reported request for him to take a pay cut, only for GM Joe Hortiz to reveal that Allen turned down an extension overture from the team.

Jim Harbaugh weighed in on the situation for the first time during Monday's coaches' breakfast during the annual NFL coaches meeting. Those hoping for Harbaugh to stir the pot will be disappointed as Harbaugh answered the question in a way only he can: with a Harbaughism.

Jim Harbaugh avoids controversy with former Chargers' WR Keenan Allen

Harbaugh had every chance to throw more fuel into the fire around the Allen trade with all of the conflicting information about what really happened. It would have been easy to send some subtle shots Allen's way after the two sides couldn't come to an agreement but ultimately, Harbaugh took the right path.

This is probably for the better, too. As beloved as Harbaugh is and as much as fans were hyped for the hire, the one thing he could do to get the fanbase to turn on him early would be to trade a fan favorite and disparage him on the way out.

And this also emphasizes how the Chargers were still trying to take care of Allen even though the two sides had to part ways. Allen made it clear before the offseason began that he would only play for a few select teams if he were traded this offseason and the Chargers worked with him to get him somewhere he wanted to be.

The Chicago Bears may not be the most successful team in recent years and have not had a lot of winning seasons since the 1980s, but they are in a great situation to succeed in 2024. Allen is joining an exciting young core that is about to add Caleb Williams and another top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, so the sky truly is the limit.

So as painful as the Allen trade was, Chargers fans can at least rest easy knowing that his new home is somewhere that will be good for him. Harbaugh said it best himself.