Chargers News: Keenan Allen Opens Up Following Trade to Chicago Bears

Allen spent his entire career with the Bolts prior to being traded.

The Los Angeles Chargers shocked everyone earlier this week, agreeing to trade star wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears. It was a move that had been talked about for some time, but the narrative around it seemed to have died down a little.

When it first was announced, there was real confusion surrounding the move. But as more reports came out, it was noted that the Bolts had asked Allen to take a pay cut and he declined.

The new regime in Los Angeles decided that it was best to move on from the wide receiver, even if it meant losing one of the franchises' most popular players. Allen played his entire career with the Bolts and meant so much to the organization and fanbase.

In his introductory press conference for the Bears, Allen opened up following the trade from the only team he has ever known in the league.

"I'm definitely excited about the new opportunity," Allen said Saturday in his introductory news conference. "Being with a new organization, this organization has a lot of tradition. Obviously wanted to finish my career [with the Chargers], but things happen and you've got to keep on going."

Per Keenan Allen via NFL.com

Allen wanted to remain with the Bolts, but at the end of the day, the NFL is a business. He wasn't willing to work around the new structure in place, so the Chargers felt that they had to move him.

While it clearly hurts to see him be with a new team, these things happen in sports. He knows how special he is to the organization and that won't ever change, even if he's now in Chicago.