DeMeco Ryans Opens Up About Texans Failed Keenan Allen Trade

The Houston Texans came close to trading for Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, who the Chargers dealt to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick.

Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans have spent the off-season making several changes to their defense. But when it comes to the offensive side of the ball, they have, for the most part, less aggressive.

Houston came close to landing Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen amid a failed trade attempt with the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Texans' AFC foe decided to send Allen to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick on March 14, which marked a missed opportunity for the franchise.

Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

"I want to upgrade our entire team and continue to get better," coach Demeco Ryans told reporters at the annual owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. "That is what you have to do every year. Every year, it is about getting better and finding guys to help our team.

"There have been a lot of things that have been discussed and reported. But we are always looking to add to our team. Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't. But we will continue to get better."

The potential trade for Allen would have been Houston's most noteworthy acquisition of the off-season. He is a veteran wide receiver who has spent his entire career with the Chargers, recording 10,530 career passing yards and 59 touchdowns since 2013.

Allen's arrival would have given second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud another top target to utilize in the passing game alongside Nico Collins and Tank Dell. In 2023, Collins became the fourth player in franchise history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season (1,297), joining Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins and Brandin Cooks.

Although the Texans missed out on improving their wide receiving unit, Houston did manage to enhance their offensive backfield. The Texans traded for Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon on March 12. Ryans described the veteran running back as a "great player" when reflecting on his arrival to Houston.

According to KPRC's Aaron Wilson, the Texans offered the Chargers a 2025 third-round selection with another pick swap. Allen revealed to Chicago reporters that the Texans and New York Jets were his top-two destinations amid his departure from Los Angeles.