The Los Angeles Chargers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Minnesota Vikings are entering pivotal seasons with their quarterback in 2025. For the Chargers, it is about taking the next step after the first season of the Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert experiment, which resulted in a postseason appearance. For the Minnesota Vikings, it is the chance for last year’s first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, to establish himself as the franchise quarterback moving forward.
The Steelers have an entirely different agenda, as they try to break their decade-long streak without a playoff win. Their offseason saw a ton of movement and roster reconstruction in a bid to build a team for the postseason. However, each of these three teams has a common thread at the wide receiver position, with one available free agent solving the problems of each of the three organizations.
Teams That Could Use Keenan Allen
After a lengthy stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, Keenan Allen found a change of scenery with his move to the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, the move did not work out too well for him, as he tallied just 744 yards and seven touchdowns.
As a result, he still remains a free agent, even as training camp gets underway for most organizations. A six-time Pro Bowler, Allen was coming off five 1,000-yard seasons in seven years before his excursion to the Bears.
With Caleb Williams taking time to find his footing as a rookie quarterback, alongside the plethora of coaching issues plaguing Chicago in his lone season with the team, his diminished numbers weren’t a complete shock.
However, at 33, Allen still has a few good years left in him, at the minimum. As a result, PFSN, in its list of potential destinations for the available free agents, had him as one of the premier names still available on the market.
“At 33 years old, Allen isn’t the athlete he once was, and he wasn’t ever an elite speedster at his peak. However, he’s still an incredibly smart slot receiver who knows how to work himself open. There’s still plenty of value he can bring as a No. 3 receiver for a playoff contender, assuming he doesn’t just jump back in with the Chargers.”
Beautiful ball from Caleb Williams and incredible grab by Keenan Allen
Unc still got it pic.twitter.com/ZbxScfrS73
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 22, 2024
Among the teams in consideration for him were the three mentioned above.
Los Angeles Chargers
As PFSN mentioned, a reunion with the Chargers on a much smaller contract could be in the works. After focusing on the run game in 2024, it became clear that Herbert had a drought of weapons beyond rookie standout Ladd McConkey.
Allen could fill the veteran role while providing production as one of the most complete WR2s in the league. After ranking 17th on PFSN’s Offense+ metric last year, Los Angeles will be looking for improvement on the offensive end, and Allen is a familiar name to meet those ends.
Minnesota Vikings
With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings have one of the most lethal one-two punches in the entire sport. However, with a rookie quarterback at the helm, Minnesota needs to have a more the merrier approach to their weapons.
Allen would be another veteran who can support McCarthy and give the Vikings arguably the best trio of receivers from any team in the league. For a franchise that finished 14-3 last year, taking the next step into Super Bowl contenders is the big ask, and Allen could be a smart way towards making that a reality.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Outside of DK Metcalf, the Steelers do not have a ton of firepower around their aging star quarterback. If Rodgers can turn back the clock, a big if considering his last two fully healthy seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets, then Pittsburgh might have a chance to break its curse.
However, as his tenure in New York made crystal clear, the four-time MVP is going to need the right pieces around him to maximize his situation. Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler who has seen virtually every system under the sun, offers a unique personality who could be suited to play with the former Super Bowl champion.
