If you're Keenan Allen, you can go home again.
Allen, following one season with the Chicago Bears, is returning to the Los Angeles Chargers, signing a one-year, $8.52 million deal, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday evening. The deal was subsequently announced by the club.
Traded from the Chargers to the Bears ahead of the 2024 season, Allen's reunion follows the surprising retirement of one of his former teammates, wide receiver Mike Williams.
Though Allen isn't the field stretcher Williams was necessarily, he portends to fill a massive need for the Chargers as their WR room has remained relatively shallow.
A 2013 NFL Draft third-round choice of the Chargers, Allen spent 11 seasons with the club and earned six Pro Bowls.
Through that decade-plus with the franchise, Allen produced 904 receptions, 10,530 yards and 59 touchdowns. However, after the 2023 campaign -- a Pro Bowl season in which he hauled in a career-high 108 catches for 1,243 yards -- Allen wouldn't agree to a pay cut. Thus, L.A. sent him to Chicago for the final season of his previous contract.
After one year away, Allen will reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert, but will play his first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Now 33, Allen joins a wide receiver corps led by soon-to-be-second-year wideout Ladd McConkey. However, Allen's likely to jump right into the starting lineup. Elsewhere, the team features second-round rookie Tre Harris, 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston, speedy return man Derius Davis and rookie fifth-round pick KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
What remains for Allen in terms of production won't come to fruition until the season is underway, but his veteran experience in a young room should bode well for a growing position group.
Furthermore, it's a feel-good story in August.
Allen's second in franchise history in catches and receiving yards, trailing only tight end and Hall of Famer Antonio Gates. His 59 TD catches are third.
One of the greatest Chargers of all time is coming home.
