Mike Williams' retirement leaves Chargers one obvious move with Keenan Allen

The Los Angeles Chargers brought back one-half of their long-time wide receiver duo in the 2025 offseason when they signed Mike Williams following a 2024 campaign that was ravaged by Murphy's Law. The latest news from LA might prompt them to bring back the other half in franchise great Keenan Allen.

Williams confirmed his retirement in his age-30 season, as the combination of his declining play and constant injury problems seemed too much for him to stomach. Williams, who caught just 12 passes in nine games with the New York Jets before a mid-season deal to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaves the NFL with 5,104 yards and 32 touchdowns to his name.

The veteran wide receiver market is very thin, which is not good for a Chargers team trying to replace Williams. However, Allen is still looking for his next team, and the need for a big-bodied veteran on the Chargers' roster could help the two parties agree on a contract.

Allen, who remains unsigned after spending last season with the Chicago Bears, has been quoted as saying that he would only want to play for the Chargers if he did not return to Chicago. The Bears aren't bringing him back, and the Chargers have a hole to fill. Will this get done?

Chargers could sign Keenan Allen after Mike Williams retirement news

Allen was never the most fleet of foot wide receiver in his prime, and his ability to consistently get open started to slowly fade away as old age began to take hold of him. However, there's still an avenue for Allen to be a very productive role player alongside Justin Herbert.

Allen, who caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns with the Bears, could start the season as the WR2 if he is able to find the fountain of youth, as the inconsistent play of Quentin Johnston and the youth of unsigned second-round pick Tre Harris could make it tougher for them to get snaps over a fringe Hall of Famer.

The ideal passing game for LA, should this reunion come to fruition, involves Allen doing the dirty work over the middle, Ladd McConkey working his usual magic out of the slot, and either Harris or Johnston evolving into a field-stretcher who could make use of Herbert's tremendous arm.

While the Chargers have largely been lukewarm to Allen overtures begging for a return, the sudden retirement of Williams may have thrown such a big wrench into things that Joe Hortiz might get back on the phone with No. 13 and try to work out a deal.