Wideout Keenan Allen and guard Teven Jenkins headline the list of pending free agents for the Bears. A departure on the open market in each cases wouldn’t come as a surprise.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin writes neither player is an appropriate candidate for the franchise tag, which Chicago used last 12 months on Jaylon Johnson before a four-year extension was worked out. Fairly than making a fully-guaranteed commitment within the case of Allen or Jenkins, Cronin notes to no surprise a likelier consequence would see each of them depart in free agency. For the previous, that will result in increased speculation a few return to Los Angeles.
It was reported in January that Allen would only proceed his profession if he re-signed with the Bears or took a cope with the Chargers or Rams. The six-time Pro Bowler spent the primary 11 years of his profession with the Bolts, however the trade which sent him to the Windy City got here after a restructure agreement couldn’t be reached. Allen desired to proceed with the Chargers, and the potential for a reunion would make for an interesting storyline if no latest Bears deal were to be signed.
Allen (who modified 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 have already got D.J. Moore on the books, though, and 2024 No. 9 pick Rome Odunze might be counted on to handle a serious role for the foreseeable future. Chicago could subsequently look to devote cap resources elsewhere this spring.
The Bears are near the highest of the list by way of projected cap space at no cost 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 each guard spots the next 12 months. The 26-year-old worked exclusively on 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 consequently of various ailments across his first 4 years within the league. That represents an comprehensible reason for pause on the Bears’ part as they consider their O-line options.
Except for right tackle (because of 2023 first-rounder Darnell Wright), every starting spot up front is at the very least something of a matter mark for Chicago at this point. Multiple additions to the unit over the approaching months wouldn’t come as a surprise, and Trey Smith – the highest interior blocker set to achieve free agency – is a reputation to observe 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 latest head coach Ben Johnson will face high expectations regarding the Bears’ offense for 2025. That might be the case no matter if Allen or Jenkins are retained, but it’ll be interesting to see how the team proceeds on each fronts.
