After 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Keenan Allen spent last year with the Chicago Bears, catching passes from a rookie quarterback while sharing targets with DJ Moore and first-round pick Rome Odunze.
Allen recorded the lowest yardage total of his career in any season where he played at least 10 games, though he still matched his career average with seven touchdowns.
Both his receptions per game and yards per game totals were the lowest marks of his career and it was the first time Allen played 15 or more games in a season and failed to reach 800 receiving yards.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, however, as the veteran receiver surpassed 11,000 career receiving yards and enters the 2025 season just 26 receptions shy of 1,000.
While the dip in production could be attributed to learning a new offense and adjusting to a rookie quarterback, Allen also turned 33 this offseason, making him the second-oldest wide receiver in the NFL behind Adam Thielen.
Allen Prefers Los Angeles or Chicago
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Keenan Allen mentioned that he wanted to either return to Chicago or head back to Los Angeles to play for either one of the Rams or Chargers.
It’s entirely possible that Keenan Allen remains unsigned because, as a veteran in the twilight of his career, he’s taking his time to find the right fit.
Another plausible explanation is that Allen chose to wait until after the 2025 NFL Draft to assess the league’s landscape and identify which teams still have the greatest need for his services.
Evaluating the Market
If he’s waiting for the ideal opportunity, a return to Chicago might be his most realistic option. The Rams, while a high-powered offense, already feature a crowded receiver room with Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Tutu Atwell.
Meanwhile, the Chargers—now a run-heavy team—do have a need at wide receiver with a depth chart that includes the oft-injured Mike Williams and rookie Tre Harris.
Allen could also be holding out for one final payday. If that doesn’t materialize, he may be willing to sign for less with one of his preferred destinations, such as Chicago or Los Angeles. He earned just over $20 million last season, but it’s unlikely he’ll command a similar figure in 2025—unless a team with a pressing need offers a short-term deal.
While the current wide receiver market is relatively weak, Allen is not the most sought-after option available. Amari Cooper headlines the list of available receivers, and younger players like Nelson Agholor, DJ Chark, Elijah Moore, and Tyler Boyd offer a comparable skill set.
