Wideout Keenan Allen and guard Teven Jenkins headline the list of pending free agents for the Bears. A departure on the open market in both cases would not come as a surprise. 
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin writes neither player is a suitable candidate for the franchise tag, which Chicago used last year on Jaylon Johnson before a four-year extension was worked out. Rather than making a fully-guaranteed commitment in the case of Allen or Jenkins, Cronin notes to no surprise a likelier outcome would see both of them depart in free agency. For the former, that would lead to increased speculation about a return to Los Angeles.
It was reported in January that Allen would only continue his career if he re-signed with the Bears or took a deal with the Chargers or Rams. The six-time Pro Bowler spent the first 11 years of his career with the Bolts, but the trade which sent him to the Windy City came after a restructure agreement could not be reached. Allen wanted to continue with the Chargers, and the potential for a reunion would make for an interesting storyline if no new Bears deal were to be signed.
Allen (who changed agents this summer) would welcome a Chicago contract, and with a 70-744-7 statline from 15 games in 2024 he could remain a starter on the team’s offense moving forward. The Bears already have D.J. Moore on the books, though, and 2024 No. 9 pick Rome Odunze will be counted on to handle a major role for the foreseeable future. Chicago could therefore look to devote cap resources elsewhere this spring.
The Bears are near the top of the list in terms of projected cap space for free agency, but upgrading along the offensive line represents an obvious priority. Jenkins has played a starting role for the unit when healthy over the past three years, seeing time at right guard in 2022 before splitting his time at both guard spots the following year. The 26-year-old worked exclusively at the LG position in 2024.
Drafted as a long-term tackle investment, Jenkins has drawn strong PFF evaluations since he moved inside. The Oklahoma State product approached Chicago about an extension, but to no avail. Injuries have been a consistent issue in his case, with 23 games being missed as a result of different ailments across his first four years in the league. That represents an understandable reason for pause on the Bears’ part as they consider their O-line options.
Aside from right tackle (thanks to 2023 first-rounder Darnell Wright), every starting spot up front is at least something of a question mark for Chicago at this point. Multiple additions to the unit over the coming months would not come as a surprise, and Trey Smith – the top interior blocker set to reach free agency – is a name to watch with former Chiefs staffer Ryan Poles in place as general manager. Making a lucrative move for a guard would signal a likelihood of Jenkins departing.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson will face high expectations regarding the Bears’ offense for 2025. That will be the case regardless of if Allen or Jenkins are retained, but it will be interesting to see how the team proceeds on both fronts.
Rams is great spot for Allen
I agree BUT, Why would they let Kupp walk and then sign Allen for basically the same money? That makes absolutely zero sense to me. I basically knew Allen was one and done with the Bears. As far as Jenkins goes if he doesn’t sign a prove it low cost deal he can walk too. Out of 4 seasons he’s missed basically a year and a half already. Potential only gets you so far if you never get there.
Sign Allen for a cheap one off deal not Kupp money. A lot of WRs with mileage are taking them. Look at dhop, Amari cooper and plenty others
If he’d take that the Bears would just re sign him. He wouldn’t restructure his deal last year so what makes you think he’ll take less now? No he wants big money. Plus the Bears don’t really need him. What the Bears need is a burner because Johnson needs a speed guy to stretch the defense for his offense. Scott isn’t the guy and he’s probably gone. There will be a lot of WR options out there this year from what I’m seeing. Maybe they even get one in the draft if they can get a couple of OL in FA and draft a OT in the first round. They could use those next 3 picks any way they want. If Cunningham gets the Jags job the Bears will have an extra 3rd rounder at the end of the round this year and next.
They need a WR who can fly and a RB who can pound the ball.
Allen wants a more experienced QB I think he’s up in age and can’t demand a top contract hence the bears one year deal
And yes free agency and this draft offer a bounty of WRs to pick from. Speedsters, slot guys, vets rookies etc etc
I guess that’s why he said he’d love to come back. He’s just trying to clown everybody.
Maybe he liked Chicago, who knows? Allen ain’t getting no big contract that’s a fact. At least in LA his family can enjoy the city and he can play with a vet like Stafford and a solid coach like McVay. If I’m Allen I’m telling my agent to make phone calls
I’d also consider Dolphins(no income tax in Florida) or the Broncos
The Bears don’t want to waste a roster spot on Keenan Allen but their perfectly content to keep a 40 year old TE around. The Marcedes Lewis highlight reel from last season consisted of a single reception for 2 yards…lol.
Lewis will be gone. No way he stays. They’ll take the cap money he frees up.
Lewis wasn’t a big deal when you consider he made 2 million bucks and Everett made like 8 and only had like 6 more catches. I don’t really know why he was there but he didn’t keep them from making moves as they had a 6 million dollar cap rollover anyway. It was more like Waldron and Brown forgot about the TE position completely. Plus they paid Kmet like 12 million to basically disappear.
Lmao
Lewis will be gone too
Tevin plays 50% of the year. So if he will sign for 50% of his value then great. Allen is not needed.
if you stupid people would’ve started him on the right side with Wright they both would have been awesome big fan of Keenan but he cut off passes to Moore and the rookie and Scott so I seen that coming .
If this is your roundabout way of saying the last Bears coaching regime were idiots you’re not going to get much of an argument from Bears fans.
I feel like he was the one receiver that had real chemistry with Caleb. Oh well