The Chargers new GM Joe Hortiz made a strong statement after he traded Keenan Allen to the Bears for a fourth-round pick.
The GM admitted while he did not like the decision, financial implications forced his hand.
“Yeah, I knew who I was trading,” Hortiz said via the team’s official website. “He’s a very talented player and I respect him as a player, as a person. It’s difficult when you have to cut a player, trade a player, release a player.
“It’s always difficult for a player like him certainly, but it creates an opportunity for other players to step up,” Hortiz continued. “Again, we’re not done building that room out so we’re going to look to continue to add pieces to that room.”
Allen’s agent Jobey Branion denies that they were given a fair shake despite assurances from Hortiz.
Hortiz said the club approached Allen and his reps with “multiple different options,” including an extension, but noted “just none of them worked out.”
“I think when you’re talking about trading Keenan specifically, yeah that’s not a decision you make with no acknowledgment of, ‘This is a talented player that can still compete,'” Hortiz added.
