GM Chargers Says Veteran Keenan Allen ‘He’s Not Going Anywhere’

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco on Wednesday ended speculation that the organization could move on from 10-year veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen.

“Kenan Allen isn’t going anywhere,” Telesco told reporters at the NFL Scouting Association in Indianapolis.

With the Chargers currently more than $20.39 million over the salary cap, according to OvertheCap.com, it’s been widely speculated that Allen, 31, could be traded or released. He is set to earn $15.5 million in 2023, with $21.7 million deducted from the salary cap. If fired, the bolts would save $14.8 million off the cap.

Telesco has likened Allen to Hall of Fame receivers Andre Reed, who played 15 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, and Charlie Joiner, who spent the last 11 seasons of his 18-year career with the Chargers.

“He’s an amazing player,” Telesco told NFL Network of Allen. “We’ve got an amazing quarterback. We need weapons around him. It was a no-brainer. He’s with us.”

The Chargers must meet the salary cap at the start of the new league year on March 15.

Allen missed seven games last season with a hamstring injury. He finished with 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns.

“It’s not tempting for me,” Telesco said when asked after the season if a move from Allen would be tempting. “Good players make money, and I’d rather have a lot of good players on our roster than save a lot of space.”

In 10 seasons, Allen caught 796 passes for 9,287 yards and 52 touchdowns. He has the most scoring games in NFL history with at least 12 receptions (10) and is among three active NFL players – along with Stefon Diggs and DeAndre Hopkins – with four 100-reception seasons Or more.

Allen is among the Legion of the Future that includes Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer. The Chargers are also on the clock to sign quarterback Justin Herbert to a record contract extension, for which he became eligible at the end of the season.