Current:Home > MyKeenan Allen said he told Chargers a pay cut was 'not happening' before trade to Bears-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Keenan Allen said he told Chargers a pay cut was 'not happening' before trade to Bears
View Date:2024-12-23 19:46:50
Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen is opening up about the shocking trade that sent him from the Los Angeles Chargers to the Chicago Bears earlier this week.
The Chargers traded Allen to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick on Thursday, one day after Los Angeles released wide receiver Mike Williams. Allen confirmed that the Chargers had asked him to take a pay cut or restructure his contract, as linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack agreed to do. He said he declined.
"There really was no emotion, it was, I'm not doing it," Allen said of the team's request. "I'm not doing it. Came off my best season, so it's not happening."
Allen, who was drafted out of the University of California with the 76th overall pick by the Chargers in 2013, caught a career-high 108 receptions (a Chargers single-season record) for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns through 13 games. He missed the final four games of the season with an ankle injury.
TRADE: Bears land Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen in shocking trade with Chargers
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
OPINION: Chargers' Joe Hortiz, Jim Harbaugh pass first difficult test
Allen said he "obviously wanted to finish my career" in Los Angeles, "but things happen and you've got to keep on going."
Allen, 31, said he's "definitely excited about the new opportunity and can't wait to team up with Bears receiver DJ Moore. The Bears own the No. 1 overall pick and are widely expected to draft USC QB Caleb Williams.
"Anytime you've got two guys that can make plays and beat man coverage, it's going to be tough," Allen said. "That's anytime. Obviously, he's a guy who's made plays in this league for a long time, and myself as well. Both of us together, it's going to be pretty good."
Allen said he's going to "just continue what I've been doing" in Chicago. He added, "Nothing changes but the jersey for me. That last name's still gonna be on the back."
2024 NFL FREE AGENCY UPDATES:Tracker for Friday's biggest buzz, notable contracts
"I'm just a friendly guy," he said. "I'm a friendly guy on and off the field. Obviously on the football field, I know the game. I know the ins and outs. I know the zones. I know how to beat man (coverage). I know pretty much how to play the game, so I just think I'm friendly for the quarterback because I'll be in the right spots. I know how to communicate with them."
veryGood! (4124)
Related
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- Niger fashion designer aims to show a positive image of her country at Joburg Fashion Week
- TikToker Alix Earle Surprises NFL Player Braxton Berrios With Baecation to Bahamas
- Oil companies attending climate talks have minimal green energy transition plans, AP analysis finds
- Love Is Blind’s Chelsea Blackwell Reacts to Megan Fox’s Baby News
- Judge rules Willow oil project in Alaska's Arctic can proceed
- Poland’s opposition party leaders sign a coalition deal after collectively winning election
- Abigail Breslin sued by 'Classified' movie producers after accusation against Aaron Eckhart
- ‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
- Nicki Minaj talks marriage trials, how motherhood brought her out of retirement in Vogue cover
Ranking
- As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
- Appeals court set to consider Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction
- Panel to investigate Maine shooting is established as lawyers serve notice on 20 agencies
- Embattled Missouri House speaker hires a former House speaker who pleaded guilty to assault
- Police cruiser strikes and kills a bicyclist pulling a trailer in Vermont
- File-transfer software data breach affected 1.3M individuals, says Maine officials
- Justice Department asks to join lawsuits over abortion travel
- Dua Lipa Shows Off Her Red-Hot Hair With an Equally Fiery Ensemble
Recommendation
-
NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
-
Satellite photos analyzed by AP show an axis of Israeli push earlier this week into the Gaza Strip
-
Congress no closer to funding government before next week's shutdown deadline
-
File-transfer software data breach affected 1.3M individuals, says Maine officials
-
Joey Graziadei Details Why Kelsey Anderson Took a Break From Social Media
-
Why Taylor Swift Sends Kelly Clarkson Flowers After Every Re-Recording
-
I expected an active retirement, but my body had other plans. I'm learning to embrace it.
-
Angus Cloud’s Your Lucky Day Family Reflects on His “Calming Presence” 3 Months After His Death