Two years ago, the LA Chargers thought they might have been saying goodbye to a franchise icon. The team had traded wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick, but was that it?
It certainly was not, as Allen returned just a year later, and all was right in Los Angeles.
Now, though, Allen is once again entering free agency. And, one expert seems to have thoughts other than Allen returning to the Chargers.
FOX Sports' Greg Auman wrote up a recent list of his top 100 free agents for this offseason, and when including Allen at no. 81, he tossed out an idea:
"He'd be a nice value match for the Saints, who could use another playmaker and have Kellen Moore, who had him in 2023."
It's an interesting thought; Allen signing with the New Orleans Saints and reuniting with his 2023 offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore.
But, it's likely just going to stay exactly that -- a thought.
Keenan Allen isn't going anywhere in free agency and Chargers fans know it
Just a few days ago, Allen sounded like a man who wanted to come back to the Chargers. When talking about his future and continuing on playing, he also mentioned the guys in his Chargers locker room and how they've kept him young.
None of those words would lead anybody to believe he is signing anywhere else other than with the Bolts.
Let's just be honest for a moment, too. We saw what happened in the one year he did play for another team, and it didn't go all too well. He had the misfortune of playing beneath one of the worst offensive coordinators of the season, in 2024, in Shane Waldron.
Allen's offensive coordinator was fired. His head coach, Matt Eberflus, was fired.
Things did not go in the direction he'd have liked them to.
So, naturally, a return to Los Angeles felt like the best option. And, the Chargers welcomed him back with open arms. It might have taken a while, as Allen didn't sign with the Chargers until August of last year. But, it worked out.
At his age, and this stage in the game, Allen is the perfect wide receiver for this Chargers team. Between he and Ladd McConkey, along with the rest of the younger receivers, Justin Herbert has a full arsenal.
Now, fans are just patiently waiting, once again, for the two sides to make it happen. Hopefully, this time, it doesn't take as long.
But, if we're even thinking, for a second, about Allen signing with another team ... think again. He's made his feelings about the Chargers very clear, many times, over the last couple of years.
At this point, I'd bet it's either L.A. or nothing.