Keenan Allen has been one of the most dependable wide receiver threats in the league since his renaissance after winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2017. Starting his career as a third-round pick for the San Diego Chargers, he had a monstrous start through his first two seasons, before a kidney injury and an ACL tear limited him to less than nine full games in 2015 and 2016 combined.
A lifelong member of the Chargers, he took a brief detour in 2024, when he was traded to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick. Unfortunately, he lasted in the Windy City just one season before returning to the market as a free agent. After a lengthy waiting period, it was after their first preseason game that Los Angeles made a deal official with Allen on August 5, 2025.
What Brought Keenan Allen Back to the Chargers?
Following his resurgence in 2017, Allen would become one of the most dangerous weapons in the entire league. Tallying six Pro Bowl selections over the next seven years, he averaged over 1,000 receiving yards per season, with his streak broken only because of injuries in 2022.
He returned to his excellence in 2022, making two more Pro Bowls over the next two years. But, with the Chargers failing to become a consistent playoff threat, a head coaching change brought Jim Harbaugh into the role.
Trying to emulate his run-first offense, Harbaugh made many roster changes, including parting ways with Allen. During his stint in Chicago, Allen tallied 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games, his worst mark since the 2015 season, when he only played in eight games.
It also marked his worst career finish on PFSN’s WR Impact, as he finished 69th. His previous worst mark came in the injury-riddled 2022 season. But even then, he was a respectable 42nd.
After his stint with the Bears ended, there was genuine doubt about Allen’s next destination. The Chargers were a possibility, but with reports that the trade blindsided him, any lingering bad blood could ruin a reunion.
He remained a free agent for virtually the entire offseason, and teams like the Kansas City Chiefs were reported to be monitoring his availability. However, returning to Los Angeles seemed much more likely after Mike Williams’ surprise retirement.
Eventually, a deal worth $8.5 million was made, and he returned to his old hunting grounds. After the deal was made official, the superstar wide receiver revealed that he had been in contact with quarterback Justin Herbert throughout free agency, and a reunion always seemed like a legitimate possibility.
His return to the Bolts has been wildly productive, both for the team and the player. Tallying 435 yards and four touchdowns through seven games, he’s once again looked like his old self, as reflected by his WRi ranking, which is back to 25th.
His resurgence will play a key role in a team’s success with aspirations of making a deep playoff run. So far, the returns have been excellent. Now, the team also has to hope it can take the next step in the postseason.
