LA Chargers free agent one: Keenan Allen
This should now be the clearcut highest priority free agent on the Chargers’ list. They secured their defensive superstar for a long time, and now it’s time to lock up their offensive superstar.
Keenan Allen is far and away the Chargers’ best offensive player. While Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry are all amazing they don’t compare to the talent that is Keenan Allen.
No matter what happens with the other free agents mentioned in this article, it should have little to no impact whatsoever on the extension of Allen. He needs to get a contract done for three years at the least, and seeing him get anywhere from $17-21 million annually would be no surprise at all. Barring injury, Allen could net himself $35 million in guarantees and continue to solidify himself as a top-five to seven receiver in football (sorry to Mike Evans).
Keenan Allen and Joey Bosa will be part of an incredible Chargers core for the next three to five years at the minimum and combined with talent such as Derwin James and hopefully Justin Herbert, this team could have quite a turnaround and be very different from the constantly disappointing 5-11 team we all watched last season.
If the Chargers somehow mess up the extension or re-signing of Keenan Allen, they have no business trying to field a competitive team next season as it’ll show what they view as important. Allen is extremely important to this roster, both for rookie quarterback Justin Herbert and really the entire team alike. Joey Bosa’s extension should have no impact whatsoever on Allen getting his contract.