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Star wide receiver Keenan Allen has been one of the more underrated players in the NFL over the past few years. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, playing for the franchise since their days in San Diego.
However, the team reportedly asked Allen to take a pay cut for the 2024 season. The veteran wide receiver refused, leading to him getting traded to the Chicago Bears Thursday night. He had 904 receptions on 1,309 targets for 10,530 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns in 139 games with the franchise.
What’s the fantasy football impact of Allen getting traded to the Bears? Let’s dive into it for his former and current team.
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Fantasy Impact For The Chicago Bears
Chicago’s wide receiver core is drastically different than two years ago. Darnell Mooney was the No. 1 wide receiver for the team in 2022, totaling only 493 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Last offseason, the Bears acquired DJ Moore in a blockbuster move. Now, they have added Allen for a fourth-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, Moore and Allen’s fantasy value has taken a hit. Both wide receivers are heavy-volume players and now will have to share targets with the other. Chicago also added D'Andre Swift and Gerald Everett in free agency. Furthermore, Cole Kmet is still around after having a productive 2023 season.
The big winner from the Allen trade is presumed No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. He had a lack of star weapons in his final year at USC. Thankfully, that won’t be a problem for him early in his NFL career.
Going from Herbert to a rookie QB isn't great for Allen's fantasy value but damn. DJ Moore & Keenan Allen? Now THAT's a WR room. https://t.co/6fihCHyKNO
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) March 15, 2024
Fantasy Impact For The Los Angeles Chargers
If Justin Herbert requests a trade over the next 12 months, the Chargers have no one to blame but themselves. They released Mike Williams, traded away Allen for a Day 3 NFL Draft pick, and let Everett walk in free agency, leaving the superstar quarterback with no proven weapons.
Hopefully, Quentin Johnston can have a sophomore breakout season after struggling as a rookie. However, many in the fantasy football community are already calling the former TCU receiver a bust.
Quentin Johnston getting tossed into a WR1 role: pic.twitter.com/N0lPLA7aCO pic.twitter.com/sFJOl1P5Mj
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) March 15, 2024
Even if Los Angeles uses the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, it’s hard to view Herbert as a top-12 fantasy quarterback next year. Unfortunately, the 2024 season will be rocky for fantasy players with the superstar quarterback on their roster.
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