Source: WR Allen, 34, gets 1-year deal with Colts
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- Keenan Allen agreed to a one-year, up-to-$8.32 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, reuniting with coach Shane Steichen — his offensive coordinator during his first stint with the Los Angeles Chargers.
- The Colts pursued the 34-year-old after trading Michael Pittman Jr. and losing Alec Pierce to offseason ankle surgery, leaving their receiving corps thin heading into the season.
- Allen logged 81 catches, 777 yards and four touchdowns on a team-high 122 targets in 2025, his return season with the Chargers after a 2024 stint with the Chicago Bears.
- Justin Herbert's favorite target on third downs, Allen led the NFL with 34 receptions and 29 receiving first downs on those plays, earning the nickname "third-and-Keenan" from teammates.
- Allen ranks 13th in NFL history with 1,055 career receptions, 12,051 receiving yards and 70 touchdowns across 13 seasons, though his 9.6 yards per reception last year was a career low.
- Indianapolis plans to deploy Allen on short and intermediate routes while Pierce handles downfield work and slot receiver Josh Downs runs more routes outside.
Why it matters: The Colts are paying a 34-year-old veteran up to $8.32 million on a one-year deal to fill a possession-specific role, not to recapture his Chargers peak: Indianapolis expects him to handle short and intermediate routes while Alec Pierce and Josh Downs stretch the field. For Allen, it's a one-year audition to re-prove his third-down value (NFL-best 34 third-down receptions in 2025) in a familiar Steichen offense.
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