Chargers will suffer if they jettison WR Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen’s contract might be giving the Chargers a salary cap headache, but the 30-year-old wide receiver is essential for Los Angeles to retain. 

The Athletic published a story Monday naming Allen as the most likely player to be cut or traded for the Chargers to come closer to cap compliance. 

Reporter Daniel Popper explained that Los Angeles is more than $20 million over the cap, not including the approximately $3 million it will need to sign 2023 draft picks. 

The exact amount of money the team can save by jettisoning Allen is complicated, but Popper wrote the number is from $14.8 million-$19 million. The figure depends on whether the wide receiver is cut or traded and if that action takes place before or after June 1.

“It is not an ideal scenario,” Popper wrote about removing Allen from the roster. “But if you follow the money, it is the likeliest one.” 

Allen is one of the best wide receivers to wear a Chargers uniform. He ranks third in receiving yards as a Charger, second in catches and fourth in touchdown receptions, per Pro Football Reference. He's also quarterback Justin Herbert’s go-to target. 

According to StatMuse, Herbert and Allen have connected 268 times for 2,845 yards and 18 touchdowns in 39 games. By contrast, Chargers wideout Mike Williams has caught 183 passes for 2,728 yards and 18 touchdowns in 43 games with Herbert. 

When Herbert is in a jam, he looks for Allen. The five-time Pro Bowler is one of the best route runners in the league and often makes difficult catches. 

Allen, who began is career with the Chargers in 2013, is a team leader and longest-tenured player on the roster. He dealt with injury issues in 2022, including a left hamstring injury that sidelined him for seven games, but he has been reliable since missing most of 2016 with a torn right ACL. 

There aren’t many good options for the Chargers to become salary cap compliant. According to Popper, edge rusher Khalil Mack takes up more than $18 million in cap space, but he’s coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he stabilized an injury-plagued defense.

The team also needs money to lock up linebacker Drue Tranquill and, eventually, Herbert, who's still on his rookie deal. 

The Bolts may see releasing Allen as the only realistic path forward, but the team will suffer if he isn’t on the roster for 2023.