Keenan Allen technically isn't a member of the LA Chargers, something that could change at any moment with training camp around the corner, but he is still one of the most beloved figures among Chargers fans. After all, Allen is one of the best wide receivers in franchise history.
Feeding Allen's popularity is how unique he is as an NFL wide receiver. He doesn't beat teams with blistering speed or double-take-worthy size; he wins with route running and technique. Allen is the poster child for fundamentals and finding soft spots in coverages.
Allen's uniqueness has made him a common source of comparison for other wide receivers throughout the league. Whether it be established faces or those coming into the NFL, so many times is a wide receiver compared to the all-time Chargers great. Rarely do they actually deserves those comparisons.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who coached Allen in San Diego, just found himself in the trap of making an ill-fated comparison to Allen. Sirianni sees Allen in new Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who is a nice player, but hasn't sniffed Allen's production during his tenure in the NFL.
"The way they are off the line of scrimmage, the way they are at the top of the route, the way they are with the ball in their hands, it just really reminds me of (Keenan Allen) in that aspect," Sirianni said (via Underdog NFL).
Dontayvion Wicks is no Keenan Allen
To be fair to Sirianni, he isn't saying Wicks is as talented or productive as Allen. Even he knows not to go as far as to compare a fine wide receiver to someone who has a real argument for the Hall of Fame when it's all said and done.
But even comparing the skill set of Wicks to Allen feels like a step too far and the numbers bear it out. Allen has made a career out of winning at the line of scrimmage with the fundamentals and living in the middle parts of the field. This has resulted in a smaller average depth of target (ADOT) than most top receivers, coming in with a career average of 8.7 yards. Wicks doesn't have the same instant success of the line with a deeper ADOT above 10.
More importantly, Allen has much surer hands and is a much more reliable target on key downs to move the chains. Allen has dropped just 3.8% of passes throughout his NFL career. Wicks' average comes in at 7.8%, double that of Allen.
Allen averages 3.76 first downs per game dating back to 2018; Wicks averages 1.70. Again, Allen is doubling Wicks in a stat that is a fundamental representation of what he brings to the table as a wide receiver.
And most of all, Allen is still a far more productive wideout at this stage of his career than Wicks ever has been. Allen caught 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns in what was a down year for the veteran. Wicks, who is nine years younger than Allen, caught 30 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns.
Chargers fans are still waiting on an answer with Keenan Allen
It seemed inevitable that Allen would return to the LA Chargers once more in 2026. General manager Joe Hortiz said he would love to have Allen back on the team, and the veteran wideout hasn't been shy about his desire to only play for the Chargers.
The window for Allen to return definitely has not passed, however. Allen didn't re-sign with the Chargers until the first week of August, when camp was already underway. The two sides very well could be following the same timeline as last offseason with Allen looking to enjoy the summer with his family.
The only complicating factor is offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel has had a lot of influence over the decisions the Chargers have made this offseason and Allen isn't necessarily a perfect fit in his scheme. Knowing that, could the Chargers coaching staff be pushing to develop the younger wideouts on the roster instead of rostering a veteran past his prime?
That's unlikely, but still something to consider. Until Chargers fans get an answer, though, their only exposure to Allen is these bogus comparisons.
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