The second-leading receiver in Chargers history is discussing a reunion with his initial NFL team. Keenan Allen said in January he would aim for either a Bears re-signing or a return to California. The latter option appears in play.
Allen is meeting with the Chargers today, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report. Mutual interest exists here, as Jim Harbaugh did not slam the door on an Allen comeback in April. After longtime Allen sidekick Mike Williams retired before his second Bolts stint was to begin, a veteran opening exists here.
Although Allen is more of a slot player at this point in his career, the Chargers are determining if he and Ladd McConkey can coexist. McConkey seized command of the Bolts’ receiving corps last year, being drafted weeks after the team traded Allen to the Bears. After Chicago used a 2025 second-round pick on Luther Burden, Allen’s path back to the team looked to be blocked. A recent report indicated Allen was drawing interest, and the Chargers appear to be one of the teams open to a signing.
The Chargers have a locked-in top target in McConkey, but they do not have much certainty beyond him. The team has not seen 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston justify his draft slot, and rookies — post-Williams — are otherwise being asked to step in. Los Angeles added another second-round wideout, Tre Harris, and used a fifth-round selection on KeAndre Lambert-Smith. While Allen is 33 and nearing the end of his career, he could still probably provide a solid supporting-cast option. The Bolts are undoubtedly seeing what such a move will cost.
Allen’s 10,530 receiving yards trail only 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Antonio Gates (11,841) in Bolts history. Allen also trails Gates in terms of years of service with the franchise (16-11). Not certain to join Gates or Charlie Joiner in Canton, Allen is an all-time Chargers great who provided an important No. 1 presence during Philip Rivers‘ later years and Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract. Allen posted six 1,000-yard seasons with the Bolts, his most recent producing a career-high 95.6 yards per game.
After Allen’s 1,243-yard season, hard feelings emerged after the Chargers attempted to give him a pay cut. This came as the Bolts made four major moves to reach cap compliance in Joe Hortiz‘s first year as GM. The team gave Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack pay cuts and released Mike Williams. Allen was then traded to the Bears for a fourth-round pick. It proved interesting that Allen was willing to return to the Chargers under this regime, but it being in the city where he lived for 11 years upon becoming a pro obviously matters a great deal.
Last season, Allen became a regular Caleb Williams target. At 32, he caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. The Bears did not adjust Allen’s $20MM-per-year deal upon acquiring him, letting it expire in March. Allen’s Chicago-or-L.A.-or-retirement pledge has not produced a known update yet, even as a recent report indicated multiple teams were interested. Allen has not been closely linked to another team, making these rather important Chargers talks.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Allen is running out of time to submit a Hall of Fame case. The Chargers giving him a chance to add important contributions to a playoff-caliber team would help in that regard. Allen joins Amari Cooper as accomplished unsigned 30-somethings at the position, as DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs and Tyler Lockett found homes months ago.
Make it happen.
@Sentinel. Kinda of click bait. Since he said LA or Chicago. Otherwise i think he hangs it up. I wouldn’t mind him pushing reagor off the roster for his last year possibly.
Just having a guy like Keenan in the lockerroom provides some valuable veteran leadership.
The Bears trade for him last year was so pointless. He was already washed and all he did was block Rome Odunze.
He gave the Bears around 750 yards and seven touchdowns in a bad offense. Sure, Williams didn’t power a superstar passing attack, but the idea of giving him three viable receivers to help his development was sound. The Bears didn’t fix their o-line (which would have been very hard in a year’s span, and retained a poor head coach, which impeded that effort. On top of that, Williams himself needs some growth. However, those decisions also led to Chicago acquiring Ben Johnson, and if he ends up being what’s promised, you can excuse the Eberflus retention.
In any scenario, you can’t fault Poles for trying to spur Williams’ development with three high end receivers-Moore as the one, Allen as the veteran two (ended up being the slot essentially), and Odunze as the future. At the time, it was a good idea and showed a lot more effort than many teams make. Let’s not forget, also, that Allen wasn’t just helping Williams. He probably taught Odunze a thing or two, as well. As I said, I think that Williams probably could use some growth and maturity on his end, but as a GM, you have to do what you can to put your young QB in a position to succeed. It was a solid idea on Poles’ part, and probably could have been more with a better coaching staff.
you shouldnt have to write an essay about out if it was such a good trade. it would just speak for itself otherwise
Caleb said he’s the best wr he ever played with and was a security blanket for him.
If two paragraphs is an essay to you, I really don’t know what to tell you.
So how could can Odunze be if he got blocked by a washed up 33 yr old?
This would be a ” Feel Good” reunion as he should probably retire where he had his most success. I would have bet he would have re signed for less money than he made last year for the Bears if the RB’s hadn’t been gone and the Bears shifted to Burden. That pretty much made it impossible.