NFL Trade Rumors: Keenan Allen Was 'Very Close' to Texans Move Before Bears Deal

The Houston Texans reportedly tried to land Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers and were "very close" in doing so before the Bolts later dealt him to the Chicago Bears in March.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentioned that note amid an article covering the breakup between the Buffalo Bills and Stefon Diggs, who eventually found his way to Houston in April.

"The belief in league circles is the Texans were committed to getting an established veteran receiver this offseason. They first tried with Keenan Allen, who was traded from the Los Angeles Chargers to the Chicago Bears on March 14. A source close to Allen said the Texans got 'very close' to dealing for the receiver."

Allen was available because the Chargers wanted him to take a pay cut on a revised contract in order to save more money on their salary cap, but the two sides could not come to terms on a new deal. ESPN's Kris Rhim provided the lowdown on what occurred, noting that the deal "blindsided" Allen.

"In the days following the NFL combine, the Chargers asked Allen to take a pay cut similar to that of [Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa], though Allen's included a two-year extension with an average salary of less than his base $18 million, according to sources close to the negotiation.

"Two days later, Allen's team proposed a multiyear counteroffer that would have made Allen among the league's highest-paid receivers, but it was summarily rejected, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations."

And so Allen's 11-year tenure with the Chargers ended. He left Los Angeles after arguably putting up his best season yet, amassing 108 catches, 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games.

Understandably, there was some interest in the vet before he was dealt to Chicago, who got him for a 2024 fourth-round pick.

Fresh off a fantastic season that resulted in an AFC South title and a playoff win, the Texans went into the offseason looking to improve upon those benchmarks.

On defense, Houston came to terms with Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, who was coming off a 16.5-sack season.

They clearly wanted a veteran wideout to side with young breakouts Nico Collins and Tank Dell and found one in Diggs, who has fared well so far (25 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns).

As for Allen, it's been a slow start for him (seven catches, 48 yards), although that could be said for the entire Bears offense, which averages just 3.9 yards per play (the second-lowest mark in the NFL). Allen also missed two games with a heel injury but returned Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.