The Los Angeles Chargers have been connected to former wide receiver Keenan Allen all offseason, and that was when they had Mike Williams on the roster. Last week, Williams decided to call it a career and those ideas to bring Allen back are quickly multiplying.
It seems the announcement of the Chargers agreeing to a deal with Allen, second on the team’s all-time list in both receptions and receiving yards, is just a matter of when, not if it happens.
While many Chargers fans are clamoring for this move, one question must be asked. Does Allen even want to go back there?
It wasn’t too long ago that, after being traded to the Chicago Bears, Allen reflected on the move and while acknowledging that the NFL is a business, it didn’t seem to sit well with him. He wanted to finish his career in L.A., but does he still feel that way?
Allen played well in Chicago, catching 70 passes from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. He can still play and even at 33 years old, that should not be questioned. He could come back to the Chargers and be no worse than No. 3 on the depth chart when the season opened. He would need just 52 catches to become the all-time leading receiver in Chargers history, overtaking Antonio Gates, who is about to go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
KEENAN ALLEN WHAT A CATCH 🔥
TOES WERE DOWN. SMOOTH.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/4DuIdGPbRZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 17, 2024
The storybook finish is there for Allen, and he could do it on a team that figures to be a contender. But there is a good chance the feeling of being unwanted and perhaps even disrespect from a new general manager and new head coach last year still resonates with him, and is stronger than anything related to playing football for the Chargers.
Time will tell, but if the Chargers don’t sign Allen, it’s because either the combination of Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz don’t want him there or Allen doesn’t want to play for them… or both.
READ MORE CHARGERS CONTENT
Keenan Allen is not the only former player Chargers should bring back to complete roster
Chargers’ training camp holdout ends in record time following sudden retirement
Two Chargers players must take advantage of opening left by Najee Harris
Chargers-Bills trade idea brings L.A. $24 million weapon for Justin Herbert
Chargers predicted to select wide receiver high in first round after miserable 2025 season
