On the same day Keenan Allen moved one step closer to joining the Los Angeles Chargers, general manager Joe Hortiz couldn’t help but smile when asked about Allen in particular.
Kay Adams asked Hortiz about a variety of subjects during his interview on FanDuel’s Up and Adams, including Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, the possibility of new jerseys, and, you guessed it, Keenan Allen.
When asked if the Chargers would sign a wide receiver after choosing two in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hortiz responded that the organization is “never done adding anything.” Adams followed up by mentioning Amari Cooper and Allen, which made Hortiz smile broadly.
Chargers’ GM Joe Hortiz Reveals his true feelings about Keenan Allen
That smile, combined with Hortiz’s assertion that Allen is well-versed in Los Angeles, completes the image. Perhaps the months of conjecture about an Allen reunion were much more than that.
Allen has made it obvious that he wants to play exclusively in Chicago and Los Angeles in the future, and the Chargers are the only team left in those markets. This presents a unique opportunity for the Bolts to get a team-friendly agreement for a productive player who is willing to take a lower salary to play where he wants to play.
Whether or not you draft wide receivers, it’s a no-brainer to keep adding depth to your roster if you can do so at a low cost. It would be a disservice if the Chargers passed up the opportunity to give Herbert even more weapons.
The Chargers have already demonstrated their willingness to bring back one of Herbert’s former weapons by signing Mike Williams to a one-year contract. The Allen problem has taken longer to resolve, owing in large part to the compensatory pick scenario and the Chargers’ desire to evaluate what their rookie wideouts have to offer during minicamp.
Whatever they have, there is room for Allen to fill. As of right now, Quentin Johnston is the only tangible option for snaps as the Z receiver. While Allen excels in the slot, he is a significantly superior Z receiver option over Johnston.
Consider Allen, McConkey, and rookie wideout Tre Harris as the X receiver. Williams would also be the Chargers’ backup X, with Johnston serving as the backup Z. After having one of the smallest wide receiver corps in the league last season, the Chargers would become one of the deepest by signing Allen.
Leave a Reply