Trading Keenan Allen was a necessary sacrifice the LA Chargers had to make during the 2024 offseason. The Chargers were well over the salary cap threshold and had to part ways with Allen after failing to come to terms on a contract extension that would've lowered his 2024 cap hit.
Allen would go on to have an up-and-down season with the Chicago Bears. The veteran wideout turned in several vintage games but also saw his production suffer as a byproduct of a rookie quarterback getting up to NFL speed.
Allen now enters free agency and has been blatantly clear about his future in the league. If Allen is going to play in 2025 and beyond, it will only be in Chicago or Los Angeles. With the Chargers desperately needing a wide receiver to supplement Ladd McConkey, a reunion with Allen has become one of the most desired offseason moves for the fanbase.
Chargers fans are not the only ones who want Allen back in powder blue. Superstar safety Derwin James is also shooting his shot to get Allen back in LA. James did not mince his words for Allen after the latter commented on the former's most recent Instagram post.
“Miss you Brody,” James commented, followed by, “bring yo a** back too.”
Derwin James clearly wants Keenan Allen to return to the Chargers
The stars really are aligning for Allen to make his triumph return to Los Angeles. The fan base wants it, the leaders in the locker room want it, Allen wants it, and the team itself desperately needs it to make the leap to the next level.
Los Angeles was right to hesitate to pay Allen a marquee extension given his age last season. That stance shouldn't change, as it is still inherently risky to pay a receiver over 30 top-tier market value.
What's different now is the fact Allen couldn't come to terms on an extension with the Bears and has realized what his true market value is. Allen is at the point in his career where he may only get a two-year, $25 million contract. And that plays into the Chargers’ hand.
As painful as it was at the time, it ultimately made sense why the Chargers decided to trade Allen last offseason. Fast forward a year later and now it makes even more sense for the team to bring him back in to give Justin Herbert his two most reliable weapons on the same offense.
James is not the one making the decisions, but he certainly can have some influence on what the Chargers do as a locker room leader. Hopefully, that influence brings Allen back home.