I
t has been a big week for the Los Angeles Chargers. Bringing back wide receiver Keenan Allen on a one-year deal, the franchise reunited with a player that established himself as a franchise legend and brought him back in order to add even more of a spark to an offense that experienced great success in 2024. And while Allen is reaching the twilight years of his career, his production levels in recent seasons have the Chargers optimistic that he can be that same guy this year.
But some are not so high on Allen in 2025. In his age-33 season, Allen is on the older side for a wide receiver and while the Chargers will certainly make sure that he has a role, NFL analyst Greg Cosell is pumping the brakes on any expectations that people have for Allen.
Cosell’s Comments
After the Allen signing, Cosell went on the ‘Ross Tucker Podcast’ and broke down what he saw from Allen’s recent tape, assessing that while he is still a good player, he is not the same guy that he was when he was first on the Chargers. In fact, he went as far as to say that despite the Chargers signing Allen, he is not a lock to make the final roster.
“Obviously, he’s not the same guy he was. He was never a burner. He had a great, great feel for finding soft spots and voids in zone, he had a great feel for separating at the top of his route stem because he wasn’t a dynamic athlete,” Cosell said. “At this point in his career, he’s even lost a step and he really didn’t have a step to lose. He becomes kind of a specific kind of player. You use him because he understands how to play… he becomes more of a security blanket-type receiver.”
Allen is coming off of a down season with the Chicago Bears, but that could also be attributed to the fact that he was used as the No. 3 receiver behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. And even though he will be used in that same type of role with the Chargers, this is the chance for Allen to prove that he still has a lot left in the tank.
Can Allen Still be a Key Player?
After a tough season in Chicago last year, the odds are not in Allen’s favor. Despite managing to record 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, the Bears offense was very dysfunctional last season, with starting quarterback Caleb Williams leading the league in being sacked the most. So while Allen did have a down year, it is hard to pin his down season completely on him. And if he has a good season, then it will prove that notion even more.
But it is also possible that Allen’s tough season in Chicago was a prelude to the type of player that he is now. If that is the case, the Chargers may resort to having him a depth piece and provide added insurance in case Ladd McConkey or Quentin Johnston get hurt.
NFL Analyst Issues a Warning About Chargers Keenan Allen Reunion