Ex Chargers Receiver Keenan Allen Nearly Traded To Texans?

Keenan Allen is now a member of the Chicago Bears, but he first was on the Houston Texans' radar.

Keenan Allen told reporters during his introductory press conference with the Chicago Bears Saturday morning that he knew that the Los Angeles Chargers were trading him this offseason, but he'd have a say on where his next destination would be. 

One of those landing spots was the Houston Texans. And a deal was nearly finalized before the NFC North franchise won the battle. 

"I had like two teams [interested]," Allen said. "It was the [New York] Jets and Houston." 

Sources told TexansDaily.com that the Texans checked in on Allen's status and were highly interested, but Los Angeles wanted high compensation for the 31-year-old pass-catcher coming off a career season. According to KPRC2 Sports, the offer was a 2025 third-round selection with another pick swap, but the Chargers were looking for the here-and-now. 

The Bears, who still are at a crossroads with what to do with quarterback Justin Fields and the No. 1 pick, offered a 2024 four-round pick (No. 110) and picked up his $5 million signing bonus to make the deal official. Now with Chicago, Allen expects to sign a long-term deal and stick around with the franchise past 2024. 

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Last season, Allen caught a career-high 108 passes and posted the second-best output of his career with 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. He also averaged 11.5 yards per catch and was credited with only two drops. 

In Chicago, Allen will be the No. 2 opposite DJ Moore. It would have been more of the same in Houston since Nico Collins has transformed from third-round pick to a legitimate No. 1 pass-catcher and C.J. Stroud's favorite target. 

Collins, 24, is coming off a career year where he hauled in 80 balls for 1,297 yards and eight scores. He became the third Texans receiver in franchise history to finish with over 1,200 receiving yards in a single season, joining Hall of Famer Andre Johnson and former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins. 

Allen's services in the slot would have only elevated Stroud's precision in Year 2 as Houston looks to remain the AFC South favorites moving forward, but he also would have likely wanted an extension. What does that look like in Chicago, and was Caserio ready to front the cash? 

Houston remains confident it can come to terms with Collins on a new deal before his contract expires next offseason. If Allen were to make around $20 million annually, would that have been the asking price for Collins? 

Would Collins have wanted more? Would Houston let him walk now with Allen secured for the long haul? 

The Texans' offense needs stability in the slot after mixed results in 2023. One potential move could be shifting rookie Tank Dell inside permanently due to his speed. Dell, a fellow third-round like Collins and Allen, finished with over 700 receiving yards and sevens scores before suffering a broken fibula that required season-ending surgery. 

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Houston also could target a name with one of its two second-round picks in next month's draft. Several prospects who fit the mold include Georgia's Ladd McConkey, Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk, Michigan's Roman Wilson and Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley. 

Yes, adding Allen would have made the Texans' offense more electric. It would have been considered one of the league's top units entering 2024. Everything in life, however, has a price. 

Los Angeles' price? An immediate pick over a future deal.