T
he Los Angeles Chargers, and one of their offseason additions is paying off dividends. Rejoining the team in the offseason after spending the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears, veteran wide receiver is back great things for the same franchise that drafted him back in 2013. Helping the Chargers beat the Las Vegas Raiders in week two to improve to 2-0, Allen caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown and at age 33, is still playing football at an elite level.
After the Chargers’ win on Monday Night Football, Allen did an interview on SportsCenter at Night with Scott Van Pelt and was asked about his retirement plans. His answer will make Chargers fans jump for joy.
Allen Has No Plans to Retire Anytime Soon
33 is on the older side for a wide receiver but if you ask Allen, he will keep playing football for as long as possible and will only step away when he has absolutely nothing left to give.
“We’re gonna ride it ’til the wheels fall off,” Allen said.
Allen was traded to the Bears last offseason after 12 seasons with the Chargers because he would not take a pay cut and while he played well in his lone season in Chicago, catching 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games played, he was never in the same form that he was when he was with the Chargers. But now that he is back, Allen seems as happy as ever to be playing football, a good sign that he will not retire after this season.
“It’s great being back home, being back in these threads in these colors. I can’t ask for nothing better,” Allen added.
Allen’s Role This Season
When Allen returned this offseason, his role was unknown. Ladd McConkey cemented his status as the No. 1 receiver after a strong rookie campaign with third year veteran Quentin Johnston taking a major step forward last season as well. But Allen’s play through the Chargers’ first two games– combined with him being named a team captain heading into the regular season– suggest that he is still highly regarded in Los Angeles, even if he was gone for a year.
In the Chargers week one upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Allen caught seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown– leading all Chargers players in catches. And in week two, Allen followed it up with another big game, catching five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown– tied with McConkey in catches but leading all Chargers players in receiving yards.
Allen showing that he can still play at a high level is very good for the Chargers, who are hungrier than ever to make a run at the Super Bowl. Going 11-6 in Jim Harbaugh‘s first season as the head coach in 2024, including boasting the league’s best defense, the Chargers came into this year as major contenders and are ready to show out and be the team to hoist the Lombardi trophy in February.
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