The Los Angeles Chargers still have a decision to make on Keenan Allen's contract this offseason.
Perhaps, one way or another, they've already made it. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has been effusive in his praises of their current receiving corps. It's clear that he believes Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston can be the premier pieces in a viable room. There's also significant space for Tre' Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith to pick up snaps.
If they are going to re-sign Allen, though, it likely won't come until training camp— either as a result of injury or a clear hole in the roster. Allen was an ultra-reliable veteran target for Justin Herbert last season in the middle of the field. His return depends on if the Chargers feel they need his services as a possession receiver in McDaniel's scheme.
That's far from a guarantee, however. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, in his list every NFL roster's best-kept secret ahead of OTAs, made a case for Gadsden to perform at least part of that function in 2026— serving as Herbert's reliable intermediate target if the Chargers ultimately choose to let Allen walk.
"First, Keenan Allen hasn't re-signed, which frees up 122 targets. Also, the organization brought in veteran tight end David Njoku on a one-year deal to be the primary in-line option. The Chargers can lean heavily on 12 personnel without losing any playmaking thanks to Gadsden and Njoku's capabilities. The former has the potential to become Justin Herbert's new security blanket and control the middle of the field." Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
If the Chargers don't bring back Keenan Allen, it could mean a hugely increased role for Oronde Gadsden II
Allen still has it. Through 17 games in 2025, he posted 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns.
His return is simply a matter of what they want to get out of Herbert. Even if McDaniel wants to push Herbert out of his comfort zone with a new, more YAC-threatening receiving corps, they will need a reliable target to help create easy, dynamic completions in the middle of the field. If there's room for it, that could be Allen.
If there's not, Gadsden could be that piece.
Granted, Gadsden doesn't have the pedigree nor the pass-catching hands that Allen does even at this point in his career. But Gadsden showed great promise as a rookie last season, posting 13.6 yards/receptions across 15 games. Is there room for regression there? Certainly.
But even with David Njoku now in the fold, Gadsden's production should carry over into 2026. He has the speed and the aggression to cut to his spots in the intermediate parts of the field. As Sobleski points out, Njoku's presence is not inherently a threat to Gadsden's target share. Both Njoku and Charlie Kolar are more-than-capable blockers, allowing the Chargers to turn to heavy personnel whenever he sees fit and still utilize Gadsden as a pass-catching threat.
It's not a one-to-one comparison by any stretch of the imagination. But if Herbert ultimately needs some sort of "security blanket" in his receiving corps, there's no reason why that can't be Gadsden in 2026.
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