The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a new era.
With Jim Harbaugh coming their way, it didn’t take long before fans got their hopes up, and rightfully so.
Nonetheless, the front office also needed to make some big moves, as their salary cap situation was far from ideal, and that included making tough decisions.
Star WR Keenan Allen was one of the casualties of the salary cap, and he was traded to the Chicago Bears.
The 31-year-old had spent his entire 11-year career with the Chargers, dating back to their days in San Diego.
With that in mind, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz finally broke his silence on losing one of the best wide receivers in the game (via Ian Rapoport):
“It’s always difficult for a player like him certainly, but it creates an opportunity for other players to step up,” Hortiz said.
“The reality is, given the cap and the situation we’re in, the likelihood of all 4 players coming back and us being able to build depth and a complete team, that wasn’t a realistic end result.”#Chargers GM Joe Hortiz address trading Keenan Allen & more: https://t.co/3AHlEk76hI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2024
Allen’s agent confirmed that both parties wanted to continue together, but the Chargers wanted — and needed — Allen to take a significant pay cut this year and in the following two seasons to get an extension done.
They weren’t able to reach an agreement, so there was no other way around it.
For years, Allen has been one of the most underrated, productive, and efficient pass-catchers in the game, and he should be able to make an immediate impact.
A former third-round pick, he’s a six-time Pro Bowler — including all years from 2017 to 2021 — as well as a former NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
As of now, he’s logged 904 receptions for 10,530 receiving yards and 59 receiving touchdowns.
He trails only the legendary Antonio Gates in both receptions and receiving yards in franchise history.
The post Chargers GM Breaks Silence About Losing Keenan Allen appeared first on The Cold Wire.