Free agent Keenan Allen reaches deal with Chargers
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WR Allen returns to Chargers, home for 11 years (0:48)
WR Allen returns to Chargers, home for 11 years (0:48)
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Kris RhimAug 5, 2025, 08:32 PM ET
- Kris Rhim is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Kris covers the Los Angeles Chargers, including coach Jim Harbaugh’s franchise-altering first season (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41068072/los-angeles-chargers-2024-preview-jim-harbaugh-culture). In Kris’ free time, he lives his NBA dreams at men’s leagues across Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — Wide receiver Keenan Allen, who spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, is returning to the team, as the sides agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday.
After Mike Williams’ surprise retirement last month, a reunion between Allen, 33, and the Chargers seemed possible. Allen worked out for the team Aug. 1, and now will reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert.
But the six-time Pro Bow player will be walking into a much different receiving room than the one he left when the Chargers traded him to the Chicago Bears after the 2023 season.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who broke many of Allen’s rookie receiving records in 2024, spends most of his time as a slot receiver like Allen. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman now will be tasked with making Allen and McConkey mesh in the passing offense.
Herbert was asked Monday about the potential of an Allen reunion and how the veteran and McConkey might coexist, but he largely deferred to the front office.
“Keenan’s a special player,” Herbert said. “He’s definitely a guy we have a ton of respect for, we know how special he is.”
With Allen back, undrafted rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei switched from No. 13 to No. 7.
The Chargers selected Allen with the 76th pick in the 2013 NFL draft out of the Cal.
He remained in Los Angeles through the 2023 season, when, despite sitting out the final four games because of a heel injury, he set the Chargers’ single-season record for receptions with 108. He was the most reliable weapon in a receiving corps that was inconsistent throughout the season.
But the Chargers then traded him to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 fourth-round pick in March 2024 after the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on a contract extension.
Sources close to Allen told ESPN at the time that the trade blindsided him.
But in Chicago, Allen wasn’t as productive and finished last season with 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns before he left in free agency this offseason.
