After landing with Bears ahead of his 12th NFL season, 6-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen looks to 'keep on going'

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Entering his 12th year in the NFL, six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen believed he would eventually retire having played for just one team: the Chargers.

Allen’s production hasn't dropped throughout the course of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, but the circumstances surrounding the Chargers changed during this offseason of transition. The team was forced to make salary cap-clearing moves, and Allen was asked to take a pay cut.

“I mean, it really was no emotion,” Allen said. “It was, ‘I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it. I just came off my best season, so it’s not happening.'”

Allen spent Thursday on the phone with his agent preparing for what would come next — a trade out of Los Angles. The Texans and the Jets were among potential suitors for Allen’s services, but it was the Bears who made the strongest offer – a fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall) to the Chargers in exchange for a premier talent.

The Chargers' trade of Allen to the Bears was finalized Thursday night. The next day, the 31-year-old Allen and his family boarded a private jet and landed in Chicago late Friday. He’s now a key figure for the Bears and their hope to emerge as a contender in 2024.

“This organization has a lot of tradition,” Allen said. “Obviously, I wanted to finish my career (with the Chargers), but things happen, and you’ve got to keep on going.

“Just continue what I've been doing. Nothing changes but the jersey for me. The last name on the back is the same. That’s what I’m carrying.”

Allen has 904 receptions for 10,530 yards and 59 touchdowns in his 11-year career. He’s 26th on the NFL’s all-time leaderboard in catches, and his career receiving yards total is more than double that of the Bears’ all-time leader: Johnny Morris, who last played in 1967.

Allen posted 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games in 2023 before missing the final four contests with a heel injury. He would’ve returned to action had the Chargers been in contention for the postseason, but that wasn't the case. Allen still managed to reach the 100-reception mark for the fifth time in the last seven seasons.

"We're extremely excited to add Keenan to our team,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. "His body of work speaks for itself, and we look forward to him elevating our offense."

The Bears will pair Allen with top target DJ Moore, who had 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight scores last season. Chicago currently boasts the only duo who each posted more than 1,200 receiving yards in 2023.

Allen is entering his final season under contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The Bears will take on a $23.1-million cap hit for Allen this season, but there's motivation for both sides to work out a new contract.

The Bears could secure Allen beyond 2024 with a contract extension and in turn lessen his cap hit for 2024. For his part, Allen is intrigued about the potential of staying in Chicago for more than one season.

"Absolutely, or we wouldn’t be here right now,” Allen said. “Obviously, we’ll get there down the line.

“Got one year left, and we'll see what happens."

A third-round pick of the Chargers in 2013, Allen was voted the PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut season. He dealt with several injuries early in his career, including a torn ACL in 2016. A year later, Allen was voted the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year after his first 100-catch season. That also marked the first of his six Pro Bowl campaigns.

What Allen is most proud of in his career is his longevity. He's going into his 12th year in the league and remains a prolific player at his position.

What’s still missing for Allen is a Super Bowl championship. Landing in Chicago and joining a new team, he’s now striving for that goal with the Bears.

"Year 12, I've only been to the playoffs three times,” Allen said. “It's definitely something that's in the back of my mind. That's what I want to do.

“When you start to see the roster shaping up the way it is, I think we're going to have a good shot."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .