Getty Former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen warming up during the Pro Bowl.
The New York Jets tried to make a big splash at wide receiver, but another opportunity has gone by.
New Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen revealed during his March 16 introductory press conference that his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, approached him about his preference on a trade destination(s).
“There was a couple teams that they would allow me, I guess, to say where I wanted to go. I only had like two teams,” Allen explained to Chicago media.
When asked later about the two teams “he wanted to go to,” Allen confirmed that they “had interest, yeah.”
“Jets and Houston,” Allen revealed to a reporter.
Following Allen’s comments, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported, “From what I understand, the conversation with the Jets was just a conversation, no serious offers made. The Texans were close to landing Allen in Houston to play with CJ Stroud. In the end, Bears made best offer to Chargers.”
Allen also told reporters, confirmed by ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, that he was on the phone with his agent when the Bears called, and that his agent later “hit me with the ‘You’re going to end up in Chicago’ and I’m like ‘Alright, cool.'”
Keenan Allen Miss Is Similar to the Tyreek Hill Situation in 2022
Deja vu for Jets fans.
In 2022, the green and white had agreed to the framework of a trade to acquire superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. However, KC also agreed to what a trade would look like for the Miami Dolphins as well.
The Chiefs allowed Hill to pick which team he wanted to get traded to. Hill picked the Dolphins and the Jets were left at the altar.
Allen — and the Chargers — seemingly had the choice between the Bears, Jets and Houston Texans as a possible trade destination. In the end, the Bears made the “best offer,” according to Russini.
The former California product is a six-time Pro Bowler. Allen has caught 904 receptions for 10,530 receiving yards and has hauled in 59 touchdowns across 11 seasons.
How Will Things Now Play out for the Jets?
There is an immediate sting of not landing a player of Allen’s caliber.
The Jets need a wide receiver opposite of Garrett Wilson and Allen would have been one of the best possible solutions.
However, when you look back at the Hill situation from 2022 it’s interesting how everything played out. Instead of New York signing Hill to a four-year deal for $120 million they selected Wilson with the No. 10 overall pick.
Hill averages more money per year [$30 million] than the entirety of Wilson’s rookie contract [$20.5 million].
Missing out on that trade was probably a blessing in disguise. Maybe this failed Allen deal could be one too.
Allen had one year left on his $80.1 million contract. He was owed an $18.1 million base salary plus a $5 million bonus that was due in the coming days.
That is a lot of moolah for a one-year rental. If the Jets made that trade could they still have afforded the deal they gave to Tyron Smith?
Every decision an NFL team makes has ripple effects on the rest of the cap and the roster. General manager Joe Douglas gets credit for investigating the Allen trade possibility. However, we can’t properly judge him on it until we see where the team pivots from here.
On Monday, March 18, the Jets are scheduled to meet with former Chargers wideout Mike Williams, per Sheena Quick of 1340AM Fox Sports.
Williams, unlike Allen, wouldn’t cost the Jets any draft compensation to acquire. It would only cost cap space which would allow the team to save the draft pick for another need on the Jets.