Allen on chemistry with Williams, says "defense is amazing" |
LONDON, U.K. - Wide receiver Keenan Allen is used to being the top receiver. However, that is not the case in Chicago and that has caused him some frustration. While the Bears talked about getting Allen more involved in the offense, he did not believe he would get too many targets.
He was correct about that, as he only had five targets for 41 yards, but he did record his first two touchdowns as a Chicago Bears receiver in the Bears’ 35-16 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. “I didn’t think I was going to get targeted a lot. Going through the week, it was still frustrating obviously (because) things happen, plays don’t play out like they do. But, we (talked) about it again on the sideline today, me and (offensive coordinator Shane (Waldron),” Allen said. “That redzone drive where I did score the first touchdown, he kept coming to me back to back to back, and three plays in a row, he came to me. So, that was big-time for me.” When working with a quarterback, but especially a rookie quarterback, developing chemistry is essential. Because Allen missed two games, that chemistry between him and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has not developed on the field as it has with other players. However, they have a great relationship off the field. “Ever since I’ve been here, ever since he’s been drafted, we’ve always had the connection,” Allen said. “The relationship, just going back and forth laughing, whatever it is, talking football, video games, playing cards, whatever.” Another reason that chemistry has not developed is that Williams struggled a bit in his first few games. In Chicago’s two losses this season, he had five turnovers. However, in their four wins, the Heisman winner only had one turnover. That came in the Bears’ win against the Jaguars when he threw an interception in the first half. While Williams was frustrated with that pick, Allen said Williams did not lose any confidence. “When he came back the next drive after the turnover, just hear him kind of give out a, ‘Let’s go.’ You (could) tell he wasn’t down. He didn’t lose any confidence. So, I was like, ‘Okay, let’s see how this goes’ and then bing, bam, boom. We went all the way down the field,” Allen said. “He was obviously in a rhythm after the first couple drives and five incompletions I think it was. You can tell, he’s just dotting them up. Even the fourth down ball, the slant, it was a dot. So, when he’s in a groove like that and all the balls are catchable, then it’s pretty easy to play receiver.” Part of the benefit of the offense putting up more points is that it keeps the defense sharp. Chicago’s defense sacked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence four times and recorded an interception. Allen joked about having this complementary, balanced attack with edge rusher Montez Sweat, who is always trying to get on the field and get a sack; he ultimately recorded half a sack, bringing his season total to 2.5 sacks. “It makes it easier for the defense. I was just talking to Montez. He was like, ‘Man, I was frustrated. Y’all kept converting on third down. I was ready to go back out there. I’m trying to get a sack,’” Allen said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s going to be like that (sometimes).’ So, as long as everybody complementing each other, special teams (was) playing good and we got a chance.” Leadership is critical for any team to be successful. Things turned around for Chicago’s offense when wide receiver DJ Moore, Williams and tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett met with Waldron to discuss the playcalling. Kmet also stepped up as a leader by example against Jacksonville. When the Bears needed a long snapper after Scott Daly went down, Kmet came in; all of the extra points were successful. “Player-led team. We got a lot of leadership. We feed off each other,” Allen said. “The defense is amazing. (The) offense has gotten better every week. Special teams is second to none and I think we do a great job of showing up everyday ready to work and everybody feeds off each other.”
