The Los Angeles Chargers have signed six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen to a one-year, $8.52 million deal, according to reports from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.
This move marks a reunion for Allen, who spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Chargers before joining the Chicago Bears last year .
Allen, 32, was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft and has been a key player for the team, earning six Pro Bowl selections. After leaving the Chargers in free agency last year, Allen caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games for the Bears. He has 974 career receptions for 11,274 yards and 66 touchdowns .
The signing of Allen is expected to boost the Chargers’ receiving corps, which has lacked proven talent behind Ladd McConkey. Allen’s experience and leadership will be valuable assets for the team’s young receivers, including Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has expressed interest in Allen, stating that the visit with him “went well” and that the team will keep the lines of communication open .
The one-year deal worth $8.52 million is seen as a smart move for the Chargers, given Allen’s proven track record and the team’s ample cap space. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell projects Allen’s contract to be in the range of $6-10 million per year, making this deal a potential bargain for the Chargers .
With Allen on board, the Chargers are looking to strengthen their offense and push for a championship in the AFC West.
