On the same day Keenan Allen took one step closer to joining the LA Chargers, general manager Joe Hortiz couldn't hide his smile when asked about Allen specifically.
Hortiz was asked an array of questions by Kay Adams during his appearance on FanDuel's Up and Adams, ranging from Justin Herbert, to Ladd McConkey, to the potential for new uniforms, to you guessed it, Keenan Allen.
Hortiz said the team is, "never done adding anything" when asked if the Chargers would still sign a wide receiver after drafting two in the 2025 NFL Draft. To follow up, Adams specifically mentioned Amari Cooper and Allen, prompting a big smile on Hortiz's face.
Keenan Allen + the Chargers? 🤔@heykayadams | @chargers https://t.co/3UAZpUTRhC pic.twitter.com/b7DTMAZK23
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 7, 2025
Chargers' GM Joe Hortiz struggles to hide his true feelings about Keenan Allen
That smile, and the way Hortiz said that Allen knows exactly what it is like in Los Angeles, paints the entire picture. Perhaps the months of speculation about an Allen reunion were far more than speculation.
Allen has been clear about his desire to only play in Chicago and Los Angeles moving forward and the Chargers are the last team standing in those two cities. This creates a rare opportunity for the Bolts can get a team-friendly deal for a productive player who is willing to take less to play where he wants to play.
Drafted wide receivers or not, it is a no-brainer to continue building the depth of the roster if you can do so for cheap. It would be a disservice if the Chargers punted on the chance to give Herbert even more weapons.
The Chargers have already proven they are willing to bring in one of Herbert's old weapons by signing Mike Williams to a one-year deal. The Allen situation has played out longer in large part due to the compensatory pick situation, and the fact the Chargers likely want to see what they have in their rookie wideouts during minicamp.
Regardless of what they have, there is a spot for Allen to fill. As it stands right now, Quentin Johnston is the only tangible option to get snaps as the Z receiver. While Allen plays better in the slot, he is still a far better Z receiver option than Johnston.
Imagine a trio of Allen, McConkey and rookie wideout Tre Harris as the X receiver. The Chargers would also have Williams serving as the backup X and Johnston serving as the backup Z. After having one of the thinnest wide receiver rooms in the sport last season, the Chargers would create one of the deepest by signing Allen.
To this point, an Allen reunion may have just seemed like a pipe dream for Chargers fans who are stuck in the past. However, based on Hortiz's reaction in this clip, it seems like it is far more than a pipe dream.