Wide receiver Keenan Allen, who spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers, is returning to the team, as the sides agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday.

After Mike Williams‘ surprise retirement last month, a reunion between Allen, 33, and the Chargers seemed possible. Allen worked out for the team on Friday, and he will now reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert.

But the six-time Pro Bowler will be walking into a much different receiving room than the one he left when the Chargers traded him to the Chicago Bears following the 2023 season.

Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who broke many of Allen’s rookie receiving records in 2024, spends most of his time as a slot receiver, like Allen. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman will be tasked with making Allen and McConkey mesh in the passing offense.

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz, speaking after the deal was announced Tuesday night, dismissed any concerns about the duo’s fit.

“I think [Bears wide receiver] DJ Moore‘s played a lot of slot, and they were both on the field 80% of the time last year,” Hortiz said of Allen’s role in Chicago. “You get good players on the field and you play them.”

Hortiz added that his team is “fired up” to bring Allen on board and noted while Allen was always an option, there was more opportunity after Williams’ retirement.

With Allen back, undrafted rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei switched from No. 13 to No. 7.

The Chargers selected Allen with the 76th pick in the 2013 NFL draft out of Cal.

He remained with the Chargers through the 2023 season, when he set the franchise’s single-season record for receptions with 108 despite sitting out the final four games because of a heel injury. He was the most reliable weapon in a receiving corps that was inconsistent throughout that campaign.

Justin Jefferson’s record-setting contract on Monday sent shock waves around the league. With wide receivers commanding more money than ever, the league’s stars are looking to cash in.

For Keenan Allen, he wants one last big payday.

At 32 years old, in the final year of his $23 million deal, Allen likes what the Bears are building and started planting the seed in General Manager Ryan Poles‘ mind that he is open to staying.

“As far as an extension, I’m going to let the play speak for itself, and if they offer me something that I like, we’ll go from there.”

While the WR has yet to play a down for the Bears, Allen can see the potential. Chicago took QB Caleb Williams with the #1 pick in the NFL draft this year, and early signs out of off-season workouts point to a successful selection. The rebuild also included drafting WR Rome Odunze at #9 to pair with Allen and D.J. Moore in his second season in Chicago. The trio should lead to a high-powered offense for the Williams, but with many talented receivers on the roster, it may affect Allen getting the money he feels he deserves.

Allen joins a long list of skill players looking for new contracts. Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins made a trade request two months ago in hopes of a new deal, but nothing has materialized. After Jefferson’s new contract, Tyreek Hill‘s agent said he would ensure his client gets his money reworked to make him a top-five highest-paid WR in the NFL.

After being drafted in the third round, Allen played the first 11 years of his career with the Chargers. Last season, he finished with over 100 catches and 1,000 yards, proving that he can still be a difference-maker. Los Angeles traded him away in March to the Midwest for a fourth-round pick, needing to make difficult personnel decisions because of their salary cap space.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is reportedly experiencing growing pains during his first NFL training camp. The 2024 first-overall pick struggled in a 7-on-7 drill Thursday, throwing multiple near-interceptions and completing just three passes.

Early reports on Williams’ progression in early drills have been inconsistent, with players and outside observers forming a number of opinions on his performance. His practice Thursday, however, was the first that media members could view, and the results were less than promising.

“Rough day for Caleb and the starting offense,” beat reporter Nicholas Moreano posted on X. “Many incompletions and near INTs. In 7-on-7, Williams completed only three passes. [Jaylon Johnson] had a near-INT over the middle. In team period, most completions were to the flat; Williams held onto the ball for a long time.”

Moreano added that receivers Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen were both unavailable for practice, as Odunze is dealing with a knee injury and Allen had a family matter. That could have had a serious impact on Williams’ performance as he tries to decipher a new offense. As receiver D.J. Moore pointed out, Williams isn’t the only one with something to learn.

“Right now we’re all just getting used to each other,” Moore said. “We all have to learn a new offense right now. With him, you just have to know that the growing pains are going to be there. For a rookie, I think he’s 22? 23?, so you know you’ve got a lot to learn and a lot to accomplish in such a short amount of time.”

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has also been tolerant of Williams’ early mistakes. He considers momentary lapses inevitable for a rookie quarterback and has been happy with Williams’ progression.

“I see progress for sure,” Eberflus said when asked about Williams, according to NBC Sports. “It’s going to continue to be that way. He’s been in early, stays late, asking questions at night — he’s got his iPad at night in the hotel and has been working his tail off.”

While Williams takes time to learn an NFL offense for the first time, the Bears will spend the next few months developing a new system around a radically improved offensive roster. In addition to drafting Williams and Odunze and trading for Allen, the team also acquired running back D’Andre Swift from the Eagles. The rookie quarterback could be stepping into a team ready to win from the very beginning.

The Los Angeles Chargers revealed Wednesday that wide receiver Keenan Allen will miss the team’s Thursday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury. Allen exited the Chargers’ game last week in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Before he exited the game, Allen was having an excellent start to his 2022 season, catching four passes for 66 yards in less than one half. His departure didn’t prove too costly for Los Angeles, which went on to win 24-19. If he misses more time, however, his absence could become more apparent.

As young quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite target, Allen has given the Chargers’ offense stability when he has appeared on the field. Though Herbert has performed well without Allen in the past, he also depends on him heavily when he’s available, targeting him at least eight times in all but two games last season.

In Allen’s absence Week 1, veteran receiver DeAndre Carter filled in and had a productive day, catching three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Joshua Palmer is also expected to have an increased role in the offense without Allen.

The Chargers’ injury report also indicates that tight end Donald Parham Jr. will also miss the game with a hamstring injury, further damaging Los Angeles’ receiving corps. Cornerback J.C. Jackson is questionable with an ankle injury.

This is not the best week for Los Angeles to compete with a depleted roster, as they will have to take on their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on primetime television. In Week 1, the Chiefs’ offense was outstanding, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-21 rout against the Arizona Cardinals.

Herbert will have to out-duel Mahomes Thursday night with Mike Williams and a handful of backups. Kansas City’s defense didn’t disappoint last weekend either, as the team held quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to seven points through three quarters. It’s safe to say that Allen will be missed regardless of the result.

Heading into the 2021 NFL season, we have ranked the top players at each position. Today, we are focusing on the wide receiver position. Click on each player to view his individual writeup in the slideshow or click on the link at the bottom to view the entire slideshow from the beginning.

1. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
2. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
4. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
5. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
6. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
7. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
8. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
9. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
10. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

Click HERE to view the full the slideshow!

Best Of The Rest:

• 11. Allen Robinson, CHI / Age: 28 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 12. Chris Godwin, TB / Age: 25 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 13. Julio Jones, ATL / Age: 32 / FA: 2024
• 14. Terry McLaurin, WAS / Age: 25 / FA: 2023
• 15. Kenny Golladay, NYG / Age: 27 / FA: 2025
• 16. Mike Evans, TB / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 17. Amari Cooper, DAL / Age: 27 / FA: 2025
• 18. Robert Woods, LAR / Age: 29 / FA: 2026
• 19. Will Fuller, MIA / Age: 27 / FA: 2022
• 20. Diontae Johnson, PIT / Age: 25 / FA: 2023
• 21. Adam Thielen, MIN / Age: 31 / FA: 2025
• 22. Cooper Kupp, LAR / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 23. CeeDee Lamb, DAL / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 24. Tee Higgins, CIN / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 25. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 26. Brandon Aiyuk, SF / Age: 23 / FA: 2025
• 27. Courtland Sutton, DEN / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 28. D.J. Moore, CAR / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 29. Tyler Lockett, SEA / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 30. Chase Claypool, PIT / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 31. D.J. Chark, JAC / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 32. Tyler Boyd, CIN / Age: 26 / FA: 2024
• 33. Deebo Samuel, SF / Age: 25 / FA: 2023
• 34. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 35. Robby Anderson, CAR / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 36. Brandin Cooks, HOU / Age: 27 / FA: 2024
• 37. Jarvis Landry, CLE / Age: 28 / FA: 2023
• 38. DeVante Parker, MIA / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 39. Marquise Brown, BAL / Age: 24 / FA: 2024
• 40. Corey Davis, NYJ / Age: 26 / FA: 2024
• 41. Curtis Samuel, WAS / Age: 25 / FA: 2024
• 42. Antonio Brown, TB / Age: 33 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 43. Jalen Reagor, PHI / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 44. Jerry Jeudy, DEN / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 45. Laviska Shenault, JAC / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 46. Jamison Crowder, FA / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 47. Michael Pittman Jr., IND / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 48. Sterling Shepard, NYG / Age: 28 / FA: 2024
• 49. Cole Beasley, BUF / Age: 32 / FA: 2023
• 50. Marvin Jones Jr., JAC / Age: 31 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 51. Henry Ruggs III, LV / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 52. Mecole Hardman, KC / Age: 23 / FA: 2023
• 53. T.Y. Hilton, IND / Age: 31 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 54. Nelson Agholor, NE / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 55. Christian Kirk, ARI / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 56. Michael Gallup, DAL / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 57. Darius Slayton, NYG / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 58. John Brown, LV / Age: 31 / FA: 2022
• 59. Darnell Mooney, CHI / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 60. Denzel Mims, NYJ / Age: 23 / FA: 2024