According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, The New England Patriots reportedly “checked in” with the Los Angeles Chargers about potential trades, including a trade that could’ve involved star veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen.
The Chargers were shopping Allen and fellow wide receiver Mike Williams around due to salary cap issues. Before letting Williams and Allen go, along with restructuring the contracts of pass rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, the Chargers were $25 million over the cap.
Now, Keenan Allen has been traded to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick, which would imply that a fourth-round pick was not enough for the Patriots to try and get one of the league’s best receivers.
Former Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen hasn’t shown signs of slowing down and could’ve helped with the New England Patriots QB transition
The New England Patriots are moving on at the quarterback position as they let former first-round pick Mac Jones go to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jones said in a Sports Illustrated article that the parting of ways was mutual.
“We kind of just decided the mutual parting of ways was the best decision for both of us,” Jones said about his departure from the Patriots. “For me it was just about moving on and getting back home, and I couldn’t be more excited. And for them, it’s about moving forward and turning the page. So, really, that’s what we decided, and I think it’s a great decision.”
The Patriots signed veteran backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett during this round of free agency, but he is likely not their long-term solution. This means they will likely go for a quarterback in the draft. A veteran wide receiver with a high-cap hit makes sense when trying to help a young quarterback grow, especially if the team is not in a “win-now” mode.
Allen has proven to be a solid wide receiver with no signs of slowing down, despite playing 11 years in the NFL. He came into the league as a third-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers, who were the San Diego Chargers at the time.
Since then, he has had over 1,000 yards receiving in six seasons. He has never played in 16 or more games in a season without achieving the 1,000-yard mark.
In his 11th season and most recent season, he had 1,243 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He has only had more than 1,200 yards one other time and his seven touchdown reception mark is just one off of his career high.
Many Bears fans are ecstatic about the signing because, like the Patriots, they are looking to find help for a rookie quarterback like Caleb Williams or an underdeveloped quarterback like Justin Fields.
Chicago’s getting a STAR 👀pic.twitter.com/Qy29ToL2Am
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) March 15, 2024
WHAT A STEAL FOR THE BEARS!!!!
— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) March 15, 2024
DJ Moore and Keenan Allen and Cole Kemet and Deandre Swift? Is this legal?
— Global Utopia Sports (@GL8BAL_SPORTS) March 15, 2024
New England Patriots fans are livid with the front office for passing on former Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen
A lot of Patriots fans are not happy with how this offseason has been handled. The failure to make a trade for Allen has exacerbated the disdain among Patriots fans.
New England has made some low-level signings, but they have yet to make a splash in an attempt to start the post-Bill Belichick era hot. The Patriots have reportedly been targeting at least one “elite” defender, but they have yet to sign a defender that could be considered elite.
Patriots fans who have seen six Super Bowls in the last two decades are now struggling to adjust to the life of a franchise in the midst of a rebuild.
I speak for all Patriots fans when I say, we’re done with the offseason….
— Patriots Global (@PatriotsGlobal2) March 15, 2024
I ain’t even mad that you said this, it’s how I feel right now
— ☘️JAYSZN☘️(52-14) (@0JAYSZN) March 15, 2024
Fire Wolf already i’m done
— Nate 🍝 (@NateLikesPats17) March 15, 2024
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