Less than a year after Shane Steichen reunited with ex-Chargers pupil Philip Rivers, he will add another prominent ex-Charger to his Colts roster. Keenan Allen is signing with Indianapolis, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports.
Allen agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.32MM, per Schultz. This agreement comes after Allen’s 2025 Chargers return. After Allen’s 2024 season in Chicago, he was linked to staying there, returning to California or retiring. It appears the decorated wideout has expanded his options to continue his career.
The former Rivers and Justin Herbert pass catcher played under Steichen as Bolts OC from 2019-20; Steichen, however, was in place on the Chargers’ staff during a sizable chunk of Allen’s first Southern California stint. Steichen was on the Bolts’ staff from 2014-20, working his way up from the quality control level to QBs coach to interim OC to the full-time play-caller. Allen flourished during this period, becoming one of the NFL’s better wide receivers.
Indianapolis has carried receiver questions for months. The club featured a surplus at the position entering last season, with former second-round pick Adonai Mitchell residing as the No. 4 wideout. But the Colts dealt from their WR cadre to acquire Sauce Gardner, including Mitchell in that blockbuster deadline swap. As Indy finished its push to afford Alec Pierce (while carrying a Daniel Jones transition tag), Michael Pittman Jr. ended up in Pittsburgh in what was effectively a salary-dump trade. While a different type of receiver compared to the big-bodied Pittman, Allen figures to be a key asset for Jones underneath.
More to come.