Amid $34 Million Contract Restructure, Keenan Allen’s Trade to Bears Alters Draft Landscape for Chargers

When Jim Harbaugh joined the Los Angeles Chargers as the new HC, he had more to do than fix a lackluster franchise by overhauling a roster. He and new GM Joe Hortiz faced salary cap issues of over $20 million, which barred their way from bringing elite draft prospects. But now, two of their high-value players have agreed to a contract restructuring, and they’ve also announced their decision to trade their star WR Keenan Allen. 

With these new arrangements, the Chargers are left without a dynamic WR who can carry the game. But all these changes could point to the Chargers potentially eyeing the top WR prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and the New England Patriots, who hold the top three picks, require QBs. There have been rumors that the Arizona Cardinals may be trading their fourth pick. So the Chargers could be the first team to pick the top wide receiver, and they’ve got some elite choices.

The Chargers trade WR Keenan Allen to the Bears amid restructured contracts

Amidst salary cap issues, the Chargers are reportedly trading WR Keenan Allen to the Bears, per a recent X update by @MySportsUpdate. Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers are deemed to retain their pass rush duo, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, who have agreed to their restructured contracts for a combined $34 million, as per the report by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. 

As reported by Tom Pelissero, Joey Bosa’s salary will be $15 million from the prior $22 million, while Khalil Mack’s restructured salary has gone from $23.25 million to $19 million. And with the franchise’s decision to trade Allen, they’re left without a wide receiver, which leaves them with an option to draft one of the top non-QB prospects after the Cardinals with their fifth pick.

Who are the Chargers’ WR potentials?

Several star WRs are entering the 2024 NFL Draft, including Ohio State Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU Malik Nabers, and Washington Rome Ozunde. They rank on the 2024 NFL Draft Prospects rankings as the top WR prospects per CBS Sports. According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., who won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award, is known for his “outstanding size [6-foot-3, 209 pounds] and stellar hands to incredible body control and blazing speed.” According to him, “The younger Harrison is on track to get my highest pre-draft grade for a wideout since [HOFer] Calvin Johnson (2007) and [11-time Pro Bowler] Larry Fitzgerald (2004).”

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Rome Odunze, meanwhile, boasts a 90 grade by the NFL Next Gen Stats Draft Model, which puts him on top of the WR list this draft class. He led his team to their second CFP appearance last season with 1,640 receiving yards and 13 receiving TDs. Malik Nabers is another incredible prospect who finished last season with 1,569 receiving yards and 14 receiving TDs. One of these WR prospects will undoubtedly land with the Chargers, but only time will confirm it.

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