The Los Angeles Chargers should enter the upcoming NFL season with momentum after finishing 11-6 last year and making another playoff appearance. Under Jim Harbaugh, the franchise has erased the errors that had continually plagued them and cost them playoff spots.
Within the positive direction, the team looked focused on the field, free of distraction. Last season, the team reunited with veteran wideout Keenan Allen, a familiar target through quarterback Justin Herbert’s formative years. When asked whether history could repeat itself with a similar move, an NFL insider offered a definitive take.
NFL Insider Insists That Chargers Will Not Bring in Veteran Wideouts
Herbert enjoyed another strong season in 2025, making his second Pro Bowl. He was helped by Allen’s presence on the field, who led the team with 81 receptions. There were rumors about the six-time Pro Bowler returning to Los Angeles for another season, but ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano does not see the move occurring.
“Don’t expect another late-offseason veteran wide receiver addition like the one the Chargers made last year when they brought back Keenan Allen,” Graziano said, per Sleeper NFL on X.
Allen led the Chargers with 49 catches that turned into first downs. He was Herbert’s safety blanket last season, but the team is looking for something new now.
.@DanGrazianoESPN on the Chargers WR room:
“Don’t expect another late-offseason veteran wide receiver addition like the one the Chargers made last year when they brought back Keenan Allen.” pic.twitter.com/KJcr2A9N7P
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 4, 2026
At 34, Allen is in the twilight of his career. As a result, the Chargers could be headed towards featuring younger pass catchers like Ladd McConkey, who led the team with 789 yards last season.
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According to PFN’s WR Impact Metric, McConkey posted an impact score of 75.5 last season, ranking 32nd in the league, five spots behind Allen, who ranked 27th with a 77.0 impact score.
Meanwhile, Quentin Johnston also reduced his number of drops from 7 to 2, gaining Herbert’s trust. Additionally, Tre Harris could provide another outside threat.
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While Allen is still the best route-runner of the four, the lack of speed and explosion places a ceiling on what he can do, especially in an offense that wants to push the ball vertically.
In the AFC West, the Chargers will need to score points at a higher rate. Last year, their ninth-ranked scoring defense did the majority of the work, allowing just 20 points per game.
Now, the offense must pick up its production to contend with a Chiefs team looking to reclaim its spot and a Broncos team hoping to prove that last year was not a fluke.
Moreover, the AFC as a whole will continue to crowd teams into Wild Card contention. Will the youth movement lead to bigger plays, or will the Chargers miss the steadying veteran presence?
