Months after hopes of a reunion first sparked, the LA Chargers finally hosted veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen for a workout last Friday. With Allen's previous comments about only wanting to play in Chicago or Los Angeles, a return to the powder blue seems inevitable.
Many Chargers fans had given up on the possibility of Allen coming back to the Chargers. What once seemed like a formality no longer seemed like a possibility after the team drafted two exciting wideouts in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Alas, Allen returning to the Chargers is now a very real possibility and fans aren't the only ones hoping it happens. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about the workout on Monday and used a word that echoes many Chargers fans: hopeful.
Jim Harbaugh said that Keenan Allen’s workout went well. Said Allen did “Keenan Allen things” and is hopeful that a deal gets done, but leaving that up to GM Joe Hortiz and Allen’s representation
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 4, 2025
Jim Harbaugh clearly wants the Chargers to sign Keenan Allen
Harbaugh reiterated the same phrase that he has repeated in the past that all competitors are welcome to the Chargers. Harbaugh wants to bring in the best possible players to compete for playing time and Allen would fit perfectly into that equation.
The way Harbaugh and some members of the Chargers roster are talking about Allen makes it seem like it's merely a matter of time until the signing is official. At this stage, the Chargers' front office and Allen's representation might just be dotting their Is and crossing their Ts.
This would be a massive addition for the Chargers, even if Allen is no longer in his prime. There is no such thing as having too many weapons in the NFL, especially when that weapon is a proven veteran who has a built-in rapport with the team's starting quarterback.
Any concerns about how Allen fits with Ladd McConkey should be dispelled. Allen and McConkey can both play outside and both players are talented enough to do so. Just because it's not a perfect fit doesn't mean the Chargers should avoid adding more talent for cheap.
Fans also shouldn't worry about how this impacts the young receivers on the roster. Tre' Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith have to earn every snap they get anyway. Allen coming in and slightly reducing their snap share won't suddenly derail either receiver's development.
If Harris or Lambert-Smith are going to be productive receivers, they will be productive regardless of if Allen is on the team or not. Getting fewer snaps isn't going to fundamentally change the ceiling of either player.
Plus, the Chargers aren't in a position where a fifth-round rookie's ceiling three years from now is the priority. The priority is competing for a Super Bowl and if Allen helps the team inch closer to that goal then he has to be signed. Plain and simple.
Harbaugh has made it pretty clear that he wants the Chargers to sign Allen and now it's just up to general manager Joe Hortiz to get it done. Harbaugh obviously has a lot of pull in the football decisions, so an Allen signing may just be a matter of time.