Keenan Allen’s hidden value: Why Bears can’t afford to let him walk away

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 8, 2025, 19:54 IST

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Amidst the Chicago Bears' turbulent 2024 season, veteran Keenan Allen provided stability. Despite the team's struggles, Allen's consistent performance and leadership proved invaluable, especially for rookie QB Caleb Williams. As the Bears look to the future, retaining Allen on a team-friendly deal could be a crucial move for building a sustainable and successful offense.

Keenan Allen’s hidden value: Why Bears can’t afford to let him walk away

Keenan Allen (Via: Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears stumbled through a chaotic 2024—rookie QB growing pains, coaching shakeups, and an offense that never found its rhythm. But while the spotlight flickered and frustrations piled up, one veteran quietly held the line: Keenan Allen.
As the Bears look ahead, the real question isn’t who they can add but whether they’re about to walk away from the one piece they already got right.

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Allen’s 744 yards and seven touchdowns might not scream "elite," but those numbers came in a system that barely got off the ground. More importantly, they came from a player who still moves the chains, commands respect from defenders, and creates breathing room for a young quarterback under pressure.
The Bears are building around Caleb Williams, and that’s exactly why Allen still matters. Not as a WR1, but as a stabilizing force. He doesn’t need to dominate, he just needs to show up when it counts. And he does.

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While most teams are chasing speed and youth, Keenan Allen brings something the Bears can’t afford to overlook; composure. He’s the kind of veteran who’s seen it all, knows how to find space in tight coverage, and brings a calming presence to a young, talented but still-developing receiver room. Players like that aren’t easy to replace and you definitely don’t let them go unless you’ve got a clear upgrade.
Letting Allen walk sends the wrong message. It says raw talent is enough without leadership, that development can happen without direction.
Right now, Allen’s still on the market, and he won’t cost much. If he’s open to a team-friendly deal, the Bears should act. The chemistry he’s building with Caleb Williams could be a quiet game-changer. Keeping that continuity doesn’t make headlines but it often shows up when the season’s on the line.
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This isn’t about making a splash. It’s about showing the Bears are serious about building something steady and sustainable.
Bringing Allen back isn’t just a smart move, it’s the right one. Letting him walk? That’s a mistake this team can’t afford.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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