One day, a Keenan Allen reunion seems like an inevitability for the LA Chargers; the next day, it seems completely out of the realm of possibility. The more time passes, the more doubt creeps in about the veteran wide receiver running it back on the team he spent over a decade with.
Allen's chances of joining the Chargers took a slight hit when the team drafted Tre Harris in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It took an even bigger hit when the Bolts doubled down at wideout with KeAndre Lambert-Smith. However, because of the type of receiver both rookies are, there theoretically is still space for Allen to return.
Many Chargers fans aren't convinced it will happen, as if it were, it would have happened by now. While it may seem dead in the water to many, it is important to recognize that the odds of an Allen reunion went up on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Steelers traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.
Cowboys' George Pickens trade brings Keenan Allen one step closer to the Chargers
The Cowboys have been floated out as a potential destination for Allen after the team ignored the wide receiver position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Former Cowboy Amari Cooper had stronger ties to Dallas, but Allen certainly was a possibility for Dallas.
The Cowboys are removing themselves from any kind of Allen market by trading for Pickens. Not only does this take Dallas out of the running, but it may reveal that the Cowboys knew there was no real chance to sign Allen in the first place.
Allen has been adamant about only wanting to play in Chicago or Los Angeles moving forward. The Bears are no longer a possibility after drafting Luther Burden and giving Allen's number away. The Rams aren't a possibility after signing Davante Adams.
The only destination that makes sense from Allen's point of view is the Chargers. If Allen is true to his word, the Cowboys never had a chance and it's only a matter of time until the former Charger is back in Los Angeles.
The Chargers would be right to pause at an Allen reunion if it had a hefty price tag. He is past his prime, after all, and the team doesn't need to spend big money to bring him back. However, if he is intent on coming back, his market will only continue to dwindle and his price will only go down.
General manager Joe Hortiz may not take a risk with an expensive Allen deal but he won't be able to pass up the chance to sign Allen to a cheap, one-year flier. There is no such thing as too much depth, especially when one of the team's top-three receivers, Quentin Johnston, has been extremely disappointing.