Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen doesn’t seem to have any plans of changing area codes for the foreseeable future.
The Chargers star was present Thursday and made himself available for interviews during Pro Bowl festivities at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Allen, a 6-time Pro Bowler himself, was asked by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe about the wideout’s long-term future with the Chargers. Allen answered Wolfe’s question exactly how Chargers fans probably hoped that he would — with unambiguous commitment.
“Yeah, absolutely. I don’t see myself going anywhere.”
“Yeah, absolutely. I don’t see myself going anywhere.”
My @nflnetwork 1-on-1 with 6-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen clear on his expectations for Chargers future + his early convos/message from new HC Jim Harbaugh. pic.twitter.com/5hTCp5eFtI
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 2, 2024
Keenan Allen has been a proven commodity for the Los Angeles Chargers at wide receiver
Allen was quarterback Justin Herbert’s top target by a wide margin last season. Allen had more than double the catches of any other Chargers receiver with 108 total. Running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett were tied for a distant second with 51 receptions apiece. Allen also led the team in total touchdowns, total yards from scrimmage, and first downs generated.
The Chargers wide receiver is not often mentioned among the upper echelon of pass catchers in the NFL, but he has quietly been one of the most consistently productive receivers in the game for quite some time. Allen has made the Pro Bowl in six of the last seven seasons. The lone year Allen didn’t make it was due to missing seven games during the 2022 campaign.
The lack of fanfare for Allen may be in part due to the Chargers’ overall lack of postseason success dating all the way back to 2010. The team has made the playoffs just thrice since Allen arrived in 2013 and have yet to advance past the Divisional Round.
Hope Springs Eternal For The Los Angeles Chargers With The Arrival Of Jim Harbaugh
Los Angeles still hasn’t had much luck even after the arrival of Herbert, who’s widely considered to be a top five QB in the NFL. The Chargers had their worst season of Herbert’s young career this past year. They finished 5-12 and missed the playoffs despite entering the season with clear postseason aspirations under then-coach Brandon Staley.
But after Staley’s dismissal as head coach, the Chargers now have Jim Harbaugh calling the shots on their sideline. The former Michigan coach brings a renewed energy to a franchise that’s floundered over the past few seasons despite entering each year with a sense of optimism.
With Herbert under center and veterans such as Allen, Ekeler, and the recovering Mike Williams as offensive threats, Harbaugh will have a lot to work with offensively in Los Angeles.