It’s been an incredible year for wide receivers.
Justin Jefferson stands atop the mountain of cash with his record-breaking $140 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings that will pay him $35 million per year. CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys ($34 million average annual value), Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30.002 million), and the San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro Brandon Aiyuk ($30 million) also joined the “Over 30 Club” this offseason.
Keenan Allen of the Chicago Bears has taken notice. Allen is about to enter his 12th season in the NFL. He’s also scheduled to become a free agent after the 2024 campaign.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Allen said “I’m not looking to make $35 million.”
Allen will be 33 at the start of the 2025 season, a place that puts him just past his prime but still more than capable of hurting opposing defenses.
In his illustrious career, he’s been named to the Pro Bowl six times, including after last season when he set career-highs with 108 receptions and 1,243 yards in only 13 games for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Allen has indicated that he’s open to a future with the Bears that goes beyond this season, but teammate DJ Moore got a hefty pay raise this offseason. Moore agreed to a four-year $110 million deal of his own. Chicago also drafted receiver Rome Odunze in the first round.
That means that for the first time in a long time, Keenan Allen won’t be the unquestioned number-one target for his quarterback. And that could greatly impact his numbers in a free agency year.
Fortunately for the Bears, Allen has embraced his role.
“I kind of love it. Yeah, I mean just holding the expectation of kinda carrying the offense, so to speak,” Allen said. “Injuries happen, things happen and then you’re all of a sudden the guy that’s getting the majority of the touches. But like you said, it’s gonna be balanced and I think it’s gonna be good.”
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