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Will the Chargers Regret Not Bringing Back Keenan Allen?
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- Will the Chargers Regret Not Bringing Back Keenan Allen?
Will the Chargers Regret Not Bringing Back Keenan Allen?
(David Butler II-Imagn Images)
The Los Angeles Chargers made the decision to move on from Keenan Allen this offseason, and at the time, it was understandable. Allen is 34 years old, coming off a season where his production dipped and the Chargers have plenty of younger receivers they want to develop.
But now that the 2026 season is almost here, it is fair to wonder if Los Angeles will eventually regret letting one of the best receivers in franchise history walk away.
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Allen returned to the Chargers in 2025 after spending the previous season with the Chicago Bears. He still managed to be a major part of the offense, finishing the season with 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns while playing all 17 games.
Those aren't the numbers Allen was putting up during his prime, but they don't tell the whole story. He remained one of Justin Herbert's most reliable targets and continued to excel at getting open underneath and moving the chains.
That reliability could be missed more than Chargers fans realize.
Los Angeles is now counting on Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and the rest of the young receiver room to take another step forward. McConkey has already established himself as a legitimate No. 1 option and Johnston has shown flashes of becoming a much bigger part of the offense. The Chargers also have young players who need opportunities.
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There is certainly logic behind giving those players more responsibility.
The biggest question is whether the Chargers have enough proven depth behind them.
The team also enters 2026 with a completely different offensive philosophy after hiring Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel's system should create plenty of opportunities for the receivers, but having a veteran like Allen who understands how to find soft spots in coverage and consistently make difficult catches could have been extremely valuable.
Instead, Allen is now with the Indianapolis Colts after signing a one-year deal reportedly worth more than $8 million.
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Nobody should expect Allen to suddenly return to being a 1,500-yard receiver. That's not realistic at this point in his career. But if he can remain healthy, there is little reason to believe he couldn't still provide a team with 60-80 reliable receptions.
And that's exactly what makes this decision interesting.
The Chargers didn't necessarily make the wrong decision by moving on. There is a legitimate argument that they needed to get younger and give McConkey, Johnston and the rest of the receiver room more opportunities.
But if injuries hit or the younger receivers don't take the expected leap, Allen's absence could become much more noticeable.
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Chargers fans will always remember Allen as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Now the team has to hope it doesn't discover that they still needed what he brought to the offense.
Sometimes you don't fully appreciate a reliable veteran until he's no longer there.
