Some speculation has swirled regarding Keenan Allen’s future with the Los Angeles Chargers given his sizable salary cap hit in 2024, the final year of his contract. The star wide receiver provided clarity on how he sees his future with the organization on Thursday.
Keenan Allen Dishes on Future at Pro Bowl
Allen has been part of the Pro Bowl festivities out in Orlando, Florida, throughout the week, and did an interview with NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe on Thursday to discuss a variety of topics.
With a more than $34 million cap hit on the books for next season, Allen’s future with the Chargers or elsewhere has been up in the air. Wolfe asked him what the long term might hold.
Allen spoke on his plans and whether he aims to remain with the franchise.
“Absolutely, I don’t see myself going anywhere,” Allen said.
One recent change in Los Angeles that could influence the future of Allen and other players is the Chargers’ hiring of a new head coach this offseason in Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh is making a return to the NFL after spending four seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance during the 2012 season.
He headed back to the collegiate ranks after an unceremonious last stretch in San Francisco and had been head coach at the University of Michigan ever since — helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship this past season.
Harbaugh and Allen have ties dating back to their times at the college level, specifically when the former was Stanford’s HC and Allen was a wide receiver at Cal. Their times overlapped in just one year (2010), but the two did play each other in a game that Stanford won 48-14 as Allen caught eight passes for 51 yards for the Golden Bears.
It’s a game Harbaugh reminded Allen of when the two had a conversation following his hiring, one in which the veteran coach also outlined his expectations for the receiver.
“Just me being myself,” Allen said. “He just wants me to continue to be a leader, continue to be who I am, and he’s going to do his job.”
After playing on different sidelines in college, Allen and Harbaugh will now be on the same team for the first time this upcoming season.
MORE: Jim Harbaugh Has High Praise for QB Justin Herbert
Allen will look to build on a successful 2023 season that was shortened due to injury. Still, he caught a career-high 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. He will look to build on those in 2024 with the return of quarterback Justin Herbert, who was sidelined down the stretch of the season due to a finger injury.
The change of leadership with Harbaugh alongside perhaps a few other moves this offseason, could give the Chargers hope of rebounding from a rough 5-12 showing with an improved 2024 campaign.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
