Keenan Allen enters free agency one year after the only team he played for, the LA Chargers, traded him to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick. Allen's production dipped with the Bears in 2024 and he was unable to work out a contract extension with his new team.
Allen now has a decision to make about his future and he has been rather clear about his intentions. The veteran wideout has outright said he will only play in Chicago or Los Angeles next season. A potential homecoming is officially on the table, with many fans hoping it becomes a reality.
Allen is seemingly doing everything he can to make his homecoming case stronger. Chargers fans were quick to notice that Allen posted an extensive showcase of him running routes when he was still a member of the Chargers to his Instagram story. Allen even tagged Justin Herbert in one of the posts.
Keenan Allen adds more fuel to Chargers reunion fire
Does Allen randomly posting a slew of clips of him in the powder blue guarantee he will return to the Bolts this offseason? Not at all. But it isn't every day a player decides to post extensive clips of him with his old team.
It's clear part of Allen wants to return to the Chargers and it is hard to blame him. Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and the Chargers are an exciting team under Jim Harbaugh. Allen, despite being one of the best players in franchise history, did not get a chance to experience that excitement.
Plus, Allen can cement himself as the greatest wideout in team history if he returns. Allen is within striking distance of Antonio Gates' franchise record for most receiving yards. Allen needs 160 catches and 1,312 receiving yards to pass Gates. He won't do that in one year, but a two-year deal could be enough to at least give him the receiving yards.
Some skeptical fans have pointed out Allen's age and his redundancy with Ladd McConkey in the slot as reasons not to pursue Allen this offseason. To be fair, there are several big-name receivers the Chargers can pursue.
However, Allen's price in free agency is going to be low, especially considering he has removed any leverage he has by outright admitting he wants to play only two cities next season.
Allen does not have to be the only addition at his likely price. And while there is some overlap in the slot with McConkey, both players can still play outside and in today's offense with so much presnap motion, the slot redundancy is not as big of a deal.
Sure, Allen may no longer be in his prime, but it would be nice to give Herbert another reliable weapon who can get open on third down and in red-zone situations. McConkey was great, but he alone is not enough to build a passing offense around.