The Los Angeles Chargers will see a familiar face return to the organization.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that wide receiver Keenan Allen will sign with the Bolts on a one-year deal. His return marks his 12th season with the team and his 13th season overall.
After failing to restructure his deal, Los Angeles traded Allen to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which was eventually traded to the New England Patriots, who selected WR Javon Baker.
Allen’s signing comes at a time when wide receiver Mike Williams has announced his retirement, adding the needed help at the receiver position. Looking to provide depth to the wide receiver room, the Chargers signed the longtime player.
Now returning to Los Angeles, Allen will reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert. Having played together for four seasons, it won’t take time for the duo to form a connection close to the start of the new season.
In his lone season with the Bears, Allen logged 744 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games.
Keenan Allen Could Break Chargers Record
GettyKeenan Allen returns to the team where he began his career
Keenan Allen holds the most receiving yards in Chargers wide receiver history and the second-most all-time in the team’s history with 10,530 yards.
The wide receiver finds himself behind the recent 2025 NFL Hall of Fame inductee, tight end Antonio Gates, who has 11,841 receiving yards. Now back in LA, Allen could break the record.
Allen’s best season with Herbert behind the center saw the wide receiver log 1,243 yards and 7 touchdowns — the season before he was dealt to Chicago.
If the pair were able to replicate the same numbers before Allen was traded, the wide receiver would be 68 yards short of the all-time mark. But if he were to extend his career another season, he could become the new record holder.
Presence On The Team
Getty Keenan Allen returns to Los Angeles after a single season in the NFC North
Besides being a weapon for Justin Herbert next season, Keenan Allen could help the young Bolts receivers develop.
The Chargers had rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey register over 1,000 yards last season. With a six-time Pro Bowl receiver joining the locker room, McConkey can develop his game under Allen.
Allen can also be there for third-year receiver Quentin Johnston and rookie WRs Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
The former Cal Golden Bear can still be a threat on the field in the latter part of his career. With the younger receivers still growing as players and in their roles with the Chargers, Allen could step in.
If opposing defenses focus on Allen (who is still receiving threat in the latter half of his career), he could draw opposing defenders, allowing other receiving options to get open downfield.
Allen will be beneficial to the Bolts on a cheap deal.
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