It's been well-documented this offseason that Keenan Allen returning to the LA Chargers is a real possibility. Allen has outright admitted he only wants to play in Los Angeles or Chicago and the Chargers are the only team that has the means to sign him.
The Bolts would benefit from adding another veteran receiver and have the space to do so. With Allen removing his own leverage, the price to re-sign the veteran wideout should be affordable as well. All the stars are aligning.
Mike Williams, who had his own homecoming earlier this offseason, sent a not-so-subtle message to Allen during his introductory press conference earlier this month. If that wasn't enough, Williams made another public demand for Allen to return on Friday via Instagram.
The two receivers obviously want to play together again and they know exactly what they are doing. Allen reposted Williams' Instagram story calling for him to return, adding even more fuel to the fire.
Keenan Allen adds even more fuel to Chargers reunion fire
Williams wants to play with Allen again, Allen wants to come back to the Chargers, and Justin Herbert would benefit from getting one of his most trusted wideouts back. The table is set for the Chargers to make this happen. All it takes is genuine interest from Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh.
That being said, the Chargers' regime has proven in short time that it will do whatever it takes to make Herbert comfortable and happy. Los Angeles re-signed Easton Stick to a one-year deal last offseason even after Stick proved he wasn't a capable backup. Why? Probably because he is close with Herbert.
The Chargers also brought back former quarterbacks coach Shane Day, who Herbert was close with, as part of the coaching staff. These two moves, as well as the Williams reunion, prove the Chargers value what makes Herbert happy.
There is no doubt Herbert would love throwing the ball to Allen once again. Sure, there is some schematic overlap with Ladd McConkey but the Chargers can make that work. The benefit of having another trusted third down and red-zone option will outweigh any small negatives of the two wideouts overlapping.
It's also hard to do much better than Allen at this point. Amari Cooper is the other big-name receiver still available and he was horrible for the Buffalo Bills last season. Buffalo chose to sign Joshua Palmer over Cooper. That should tell you all you need to know.
Allen is the best option to add instant help to the offense and signing him would not stop the team from drafting a wideout to have a long-term impact. The two moves are not mutually exclusive, and should be the route the Bolts take to bolster the offense.