M
ove over, Antonio Gates, there is a new sheriff in Los Angeles. In the Los Angeles Chargers week 10 25-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football, wide receiver Keenan Allen reached a very big milestone in his career. Catching two passes for 19 yards, Allen surpassed Gates as the Chargers’ all-time leader in receptions. Allen, who is in his second stint with the Chargers– first playing for the team from 2013-23– broke Gates’ record in far fewer games.
But what is most interesting about Allen’s record setting catch was the way in which the play was designed. Held to only one catch all game prior to his record setting reception, head coach Jim Harbaugh and Allen were determined to get him the record, leading to the the two of them to run one specific play that would guarantee a catch for Allen.
The Play that Set the Mark
The game is in its final moments as the clock got below three minutes in the final quarter. Going into the game, Allen needed only two catches to break the record and with time dwindling in the Chargers’ victory, Allen went up to Harbaugh with a proposal that he knew would lead to a catch. And Harbaugh, trying hard to ensure Allen would break the record, agreed.
“Just run the speed sweep, that’s the easiest catch I can get,” Allen told Harbaugh. “It’s like a guaranteed catch.”
The play, which is basically a jet sweep, meant that Allen would look like he was going in motion and sprint across the field behind the line of scrimmage. When the ball snapped, quarterback Justin Herbert shoveled the ball to Allen, who then ran for a seven yard gain– counting as a catch, the 956th of Allen’s career.
“They actually called me a genius,” Allen said before adding that he did not understand why Harbaugh or offensive coordinator Greg Roman did not think of the play themselves. “You mean to tell me you didn’t think of this.”
Allen’s career is filled with many accolades– ones that should surely get him into Canton. But after breaking the Chargers’ catch record, Allen said that it was the milestone that he would put near the top of the list– a list that includes him becoming the first Chargers receiver to eclipse the 10,000 yard mark in 2023.
Allen’s Road to the Record
Prior to the 2024 season, it appeared that Allen’s career with the Chargers was over. After the ’23 campaign, the Chargers told Allen that they wanted him to take a pay cut and after he refused, he was traded to the Chicago Bears, where he spent the entirety of the 2024 season before becoming a free agent.
But throughout his time with the Bears and the following offseason, Allen still envisioned his career finishing with the Chargers. After all, he was drafted by the Chargers franchise, spent the first 11 seasons of his career there and became one of the greatest receivers in franchise history. So when the opportunity to come back to the Chargers presented himself, he quickly took it and has resumed his role as Herbert’s most trusted pass catcher, leading the team with 52 catches.
“I was going to do whatever I could to come back,” Allen said.
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