Keenan Allen on Bears: “We can be really special” |
CHICAGO - Finally, Chicago has a dynamic duo at receiver with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. The six-time Pro Bowler joins Chicago after spending his first 11 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the quarterback for the upcoming season is unknown, Allen's addition proves a vital piece in building for the future. “On the football field, I know the game. I know the ins and outs. I know the zones. I know how to be man. I know pretty much how to play the game,” Allen said. “So, I think I’m just friendly for the quarterback because I’ll be in the right spots. I know how to communicate with them and my body language is solid too.” He also has the chance to work with a No. 1 receiver talent in DJ Moore, an opportunity that he has not always had. Allen was supposed to have that chance with the Chargers this season, but Mike Williams went down early to injury, forcing him to step up as the clear No. 1 receiver. Moore has been clear in his view, that he sees it as friendly competition as a “race to 1,000” yards. Allen also respects Moore and sees promise in some of the other additions the Bears made in free agency, including his former teammate tight end Gerald Everett. “I know DJ, a hell of an athlete out there at receiver and just picked up a running back. Obviously, a tight end is really good,” Allen said. “We picked up a tight end I played with last year as well (in Gerald Everett). So, I was excited about it.” The trade for Allen is part of a recent trend the Bears have had - picking up people from the West Coast, specifically the Los Angeles area. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron came from the Seattle Seahawks and previously worked with the Los Angeles Rams, so it makes sense to bring in some of his former players. However, this is not as much the case. Allen is one of three players who were on the Los Angeles Chargers last year and now play for the Bears—the other two being Everett and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga. The Bears also picked up center Coleman Shelton, who previously worked with Waldron with the Rams. Guard Matt Pryor is also from California and played with the San Francisco 49ers last season. While this is speculatory, it appears the Bears may be bringing in a lot of California and West Coast talent, perhaps in an effort to bring in people familiar with USC quarterback prospect Caleb Williams, as they would be exposed to his games more. “Obviously, (Williams) can make tremendous plays with his feet and his arm. It looks like he knows the game really well and he’s really good,” Allen said. “He's a Solid guy, down to earth, chill guy. I don’t know much about him; I think I just met him once.” Perhaps Allen knows more about Williams now that he attended USC’s Pro Day and talked with him. Chicago also sent general manager Ryan Poles, assistant general manager Ian Cunningham, and head coach Matt Eberflus. Regardless of the quarterback, Allen believes the Bears offense can be explosive next season with the weapons they have with himself, Moore, Everett, running back acquisition D’Andre Swift, and tight end Cole Kmet who had another good season last year. “We can be really special. You got weapons. You got guys who can beat man all over the field,” Allen said. “So, double-teaming one guy is going to be costly for the defense and I think we can use that (to) our advantage, having a running back that can come out of the backfield and make plays, beat one-on-ones.”
