Chargers’ Surprise Roster Move Reunites Justin Herbert With Pro Bowl Weapon

Though Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a solid 2024 season, some say it always felt like something was missing.

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey burst onto the scene with an impressive 82-catch, 1,149-yard, seven-touchdown season, but L.A. seemed to lack an explosive playmaker behind him.

Former first-round pick Quentin Johnston made a big jump from his rookie year in 2023. Johnston was second on the team last year with 55 catches, 711 yards, and eight touchdowns, but he didn’t really take the top off the defense or make many big catches in the clutch.

So it should come as no surprise that the Chargers front office turned to a familiar face.

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While surrounding Herbert with more talent than he had last year was seemingly one of the Chargers’ top priorities this offseason, the team did just that on Tuesday, bringing back a fan-favorite wide receiver who Herbert has a proven connection with.

“Six-time Pro-Bowl WR Keenan Allen, who spent the first 11 seasons of his NFL career with the Chargers, is re-signing with the franchise,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X. “Allen visited the Chargers on Aug. 1, and the visit now has been extended for this season.”

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After a one-year stint with the Chicago Bears, Allen, who totaled 70 receptions, 744 yards, and seven touchdowns last season while catching passes from rookie QB Caleb Williams, is coming back to the place where he had his most success.

Herbert and Allen played together from 2020 to 2023, combining for 543 targets, 380 catches, 4,125 yards, and 25 touchdowns. Allen also made three of his six Pro Bowls, and Herbert made one Pro Bowl in 2021 and won Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020.

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Herbert’s connection with Allen helped him break a few notable NFL records including most passing yards in a QB’s first two seasons (9,350), most passing yards in a QB’s first three seasons (14,089), most passing yards in a QB’s first four seasons (17,223), most passing touchdowns by a rookie QB (31), most total touchdowns by a rookie QB (36), most 300-yard games by a rookie QB (eight), most completions by a rookie QB (396), most total touchdowns in a QB’s first two seasons (77), and most consecutive 4,000-yard seasons to start a career (three).

Herbert was also the first QB to throw 30 or more touchdowns in each of first two seasons, thanks to Allen, who hauled in 14 of those scores during that span.