Keenan Allen’s departure from the Los Angeles Chargers one offseason ago felt misplaced. It looks like the veteran receiver thought so, too.
Ahead of last season, the Chargers were looking to clear salary cap space, and Allen’s contract made him a likely candidate for a trade or a release.
Allen, who posted more 1,000-yard receiving seasons with Los Angeles than not, declined to take a pay cut. That decision resulted in the Chargers trading him to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick.
Despite the Chargers clinching a playoff berth, its offense had multiple questions.
Those questions amplified during free agency this offseason, but last Tuesday, Los Angeles announced it re-signed Allen for one season.
What should fantasy managers expect from Allen, and how exactly does this news affect guys such as Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey and the Chargers run game?
Allen’s Bears’ tenure should be Chicagone from memory
Allen posted his second-lowest yardage totals of his career in his lone year in Chicago, one year removed from averaging approximately 21 points per game in fantasy: a career-best.
But, at 33 years old, even though he was brought back to Los Angeles to help a below-average receiving corps, production expectations should not resemble his first stint out west.
Allen was 67th overall in the NFL last season in yards per route run (1.52 yards) and 97th overall in yards per target (6.1).
The good news for Allen? This came in a four-headed target share with a quarterback who struggled surpassing 3,500 passing yards and averaged one passing score per game.
Chicago’s drives were also hindered by sacks, as Caleb Williams took a league-worst average of four per game.
Now that that has been established, I’m ready to wipe Allen’s Chicago year under the rug.
What does a Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey offense look like?
In all likelihood, Los Angeles will push McConkey outside and deploy Allen again in the slot.
Allen probably isn’t a three-down snap guy anymore unless Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris absolutely bottom out.
In his rookie season, McConkey finished as the No. 11 overall fantasy receiver – something most did not see coming.
Can he match a double-digit average per game in 2025? I think so.
While Allen and Justin Herbert make it look as easy as riding a bike, McConkey didn’t start showing flashes of what he could become until Week 8 last season.
Finding more consistency in his second season could come because Allen and his veteran leadership has returned. They give the Chargers a 1-2 receiver duo to work the outside and inside. The pair should complement each other this season.
4,088
The number of yards Allen hauled in from Herbert across their four seasons together.
Those tally 1,000-yard seasons for Allen if I’m doing my math correctly.
Herbert and the Chargers will need a playmaker like Allen even more so after losing tackle Rashawn Slater for the year (torn patellar tendon). Although the team looks to already have a replacement, that replacement isn’t a top tackle in the league. Growing pains, despite a veteran stepping into place, are eminent.
Time to throw will be critical, and having someone who has a knack for beating zone coverage and busting defensive schemes may be able to make something out of nothing.
Can Allen affect the Chargers’ backfield?
Yes. But likely in good ways.
A fear heading into last season was if Los Angeles’ offense would have to rely on the run too much.
They had bowling balls to do so, but after settling in, the rushing to passing ratio was more fairly balanced.
Whether it’s Omarion Hampton or Najee Harris starting, the concern of a one-dimensional offense should all but vanish.
A destructive slot receiver paired with an outside threat will draw defenders out of the box. This should help the longevity in-game and in-season for whoever is running the ball. If it’s the rookie Hampton, compared to J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards‘ 2024 output, he likely won’t reach those veteran numbers, but he’s at least set up with the signing of Allen to try.
Want more news on player impact and rankings? Check out The Wolf’s 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.
