Five-time Pro Bowl WR linked to Lions after photo goes viral
Though he’s still under contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, many were wondering if a viral photo was hinting that Keenan Allen could be switching teams in the near future.
Allen posed for a courtside photo with Detroit Lions receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Marvin Jones at the Lakers-Warriors game on Saturday, opening the door for speculation regarding the 31-year-old’s future.
A reported candidate to be cut after the season ended, L.A. has Allen under contract for two more seasons. The Chargers restructured his deal in March, lowering his cap hit from $21.7 million to $12.7 million and clearing $8.9 million in cap space for the team.
But after the Chargers drafted TCU receiver Quentin Johnston in the first round of the 2023 draft nearly two weeks ago, Allen’s status in L.A. has been in question. Following a six-game suspension to Jameson Williams, the Lions do have an opening at receiver.
While a trade seems unlikely at this point, sending Allen to Detroit would alleviate L.A.’s need to decide whether to extend or release Allen next season and provide the team with additional draft capital.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Allen is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro. He recorded just 66 receptions, 752 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games in 2022, snapping his streak of five consecutive seasons with 95 or more receptions and 990 or more receiving yards. It was also the first time since 2016 that he wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl.
In addition to Johnston, the Chargers receiver group also features 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, who had a breakout 2022 season (72 receptions, 769 yards), Jalen Guyton and Keelan Doss.
More must-reads: