Keenan Allen, wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers, has made a career out of surprising the doubters during his incredible 13-year NFL career. Allen is best known for his awesome route running and clutch play. Teammate and safety Derwin James Jr. even dubbed him “third-and-Keenan” for his ability to come up with big third down conversions. Despite facing challenges, including a significant injury during his college career, Allen continues to shine on the field, finishing the most recent season with 744 yards and seven touchdowns.
As he heads into a contract year, Allen’s status with the Chargers has become one of the most discussed topics. His current contract is no small number at $34.7 million. This has led to rumors that the team could consider converting his deal to a more manageable format, trading him or perhaps even releasing him outright. From the Chargers standpoint, this decision will most likely depend on how well Allen performs and whether the Chargers are able to negotiate his financial terms.
Allen’s NFL fortunes took off as soon as the Chargers chose him with the 110th overall pick in the third round of the 2013 draft. This moment set in motion his long, promising career. His pro day performance — especially his 4.71-second 40-yard dash — wowed all of those teams and more. This performance instantly gained him a reputation as an incredibly valuable complement to that team. He is the University of California all-time leader in receptions. He’s third in yards showing how elite of a receiver he is.
Allen made history. He became the fastest receiver in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions, earning his place in the record books. He leads the entire NFL in targets, receptions, and first downs on third downs. This illustrates his dependence and emphasizes their need for him on their offense.
While some consider Allen an aging veteran, his athleticism is still off the charts. I don’t really have a step to lose,” he said, an indication of his desire to stay at the top of his game. Wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal makes an intriguing comparison to NFL star Amari Cooper. He often points to his route running with a focus on explosion as the main factor in his success.
Last season wasn’t without its challenges for Allen. He injured his PCL in his last year at the University of California, suffering a season-ending injury. This step-back sparked initial worries about his durability in his profession. Ever since, the speedy wideout has bounced back, playing a critical role in the Chargers’ offensive game plan. Back out in the free agent market, last offseason served as my barometer to look at what other guys around the league were getting and signings. I actually did feel like I totally rocked the hell out of all of them.
In August, Allen signed a one-year contract with the Chargers. The three-year, $3.02 million contract follows a lengthy tenure as a free agent. This deal represents an important turning point in his administration. Unbeknownst to him, he was about to experience crucial upheavals on the team and seismic changes in his personal life. Although he is temporarily living in Chicago for team obligations, his wife and four children still live in Los Angeles.
Transitioning between cities has been difficult for Allen. Living alone, he said, was “hard and lonely.” He said he isn’t used to the quiet, though, making it clear that family around support is still number one on his list. Through all of these personal changes, he is determined to do whatever it takes to help his new team emerge victorious.
Discussions around the prospect of Allen’s contract continue to intensify. His performance will, no doubt, be determinant of how his future with the Chargers unfolds. The developers’ team must do a delicate balancing act. They need to consider what Allen brings to the table as a veteran leader and as a consistent target.
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