Allen not focused on contract extension, Johnson winning in practice |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - With Chicago receiver DJ Moore securing his future with the Bears for the next six seasons, questions have already started of when the receiver they traded for in March, Keenan Allen, will be signing an extension any time soon.
However, that does not sound like it will happen anytime soon. “I’m trying to bring my best (game) for the team and just do what I can,” Allen said. “We already have great chemistry in the locker room, great friends already made, and the city is beautiful. The team is coming together nice.” Allen, who played for the Los Angeles Chargers for 11 seasons, is coming to a new team, which also means a new offensive coordinator and playbook. For an experienced veteran like him, this is not a big deal. But it still takes time to learn how offensive coordinator Shane Waldron likes to call plays. However, he has learned a bit from watching film of receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett from when Waldron was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. “For me, it’s just about figuring out how Shane likes to call the plays and then how to run them,” Allen said. “Obviously, seeing DK and Tyler Lockett run through the plays and just trying to use those as, kind of, recommendations for how you want to run the route and just trying to see how they saw it. They were with him multiple years and then being able to bring it to life in my way.” Allen is the ideal receiver for any rookie quarterback. The six-time Pro Bowler has recorded at least 100 receptions and at least 1,000 receiving yards in five of the last seven seasons. He is the definition of a reliable receiver, as he has not dealt with many significant injuries throughout his career. “For me, it’s just about consistency and availability. That’s what I preach,” Allen said. “As long as I’m available on the field, then I should be able to do what I need to do as far as those stats and, just like I said, being able to make the plays that I’m supposed to make and be there for the quarterback.” Not only is he ideal for a rookie quarterback, but also an ideal mentor for a rookie receiver. Allen was in that role last season when the Chargers drafted receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Bears used the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on receiver Rome Odunze, who has better numbers coming out of college than Johnston did. So far, Allen has been impressed with what he has seen out of Odunze. “He’s polished. You don’t have to teach him how to play receiver. He came in, and he knows how to play the game, was well-coached in college obviously, knowing how to play, and all he has to do is learn the offense,” Allen said. “Get him to play and then watch him work. So, it’s good.” Going against someone in training camp, you learn more about a player. Despite cornerback Jaylon Johnson not being on the Top 100 player list and Allen being on that list, Allen has had some difficulty going against Johnson in practice and said he has not made a catch going against the Pro Bowl cornerback so far in training camp. “He’s patient. He plays his assignment. He knows routes, squats, which means he sits on routes and so, he’s always looking to make a pass breakup or something like that,” Allen said. “He doesn’t like anybody to catch the ball on him. He’s greedy in that way, which is a good thing. So, good competitor.” Head coach Matt Eberflus announced that the starters will play against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 10 (Noon / NFL Network). Therefore, Chicago fans will get their first opportunity to see players like Williams, Odunze, and Allen in this new Bears offense.
