The Chargers are reuniting with a former franchise star to bolster their receivers unit.
Keenan Allen, who racked up greater than 10,000 receiving yards throughout an 11-season stint with the Chargers earlier than being traded away in a salary-cap transfer, agreed to a take care of the staff Tuesday.
The one-year deal is value $8.52 million, based on NFL Media.
Allen spent final season in Chicago after the Chargers traded their then-longest tenured participant to the Bears in an try to develop into salary-cap compliant after the beginning of free company. He caught 70 passes for 744 yards and 7 touchdowns within the Caleb Williams-led offense however was not re-signed by Chicago.
Allen labored out with the Chargers on Friday, with coach Jim Harbaugh remarking that Allen did “a lot of Keenan Allen things.” Responding to a viewer on Twitch stream over the weekend, Allen stated his assembly with the staff “went good, man. The meeting was straight.”
After the sudden retirement of Mike Williams at the beginning of coaching camp, the Chargers had been in want of a large receiver, and Allen was among the many high choices remaining on the free-agent market. At 33, Allen’s finest days are most likely behind him, however the six-time Professional Bowl choice proved final season he’s able to staying wholesome and being productive.
Second solely to Corridor of Famer Antonio Gates atop the Chargers’ all-time receiving yards checklist, Allen joins a pass-catching corps led by second-year standout Ladd McConkey and former first-round choose Quentin Johnston, who had a promising sophomore season in 2024 after struggling as a rookie.
Allen would be the graybeard of a Chargers receivers group that has a number of promising pass-catchers. Jalen Reagor is the one receiver apart from Allen on the roster with greater than 5 years of NFL expertise. Extremely touted rookies Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, along with Reagor, Derius Davis and Brenden Rice, will probably be competing with Allen for targets.
The wild card in all of this would possibly relaxation on how nicely Allen can reestablish chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. In 4 seasons collectively, Allen caught 380 passes for 4,125 yards and 25 touchdowns.
If Allen can get near the numbers he posted in 2023 (108 catches, 1,243 yards, seven touchdowns), the remainder of the AFC West needs to be cautious.