Chargers sign Kennan Allen to lucrative four-year extension
By Scott Rogust
The Los Angeles Chargers finished off their housekeeping by giving wide receiver Keenan Allen a deserved contract extension.
Prior to the start of the 2020 season, the Los Angeles Chargers decided to finish some in-house chores to ensure they can compete against the Kansas City Chiefs. The team gave defensive end Joey Bosa a record-breaking $135 million contract extension and restructured fellow edge rusher Melvin Ingram’s deal. With a week remaining until their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chargers locked in their star receiver for the foreseeable future.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Chargers and wideout Keenan Allen have agreed to terms on a four-year, $80 million contract extension. The deal includes $50 million in guarantees, and overall, makes him the second-highest paid receiver in the NFL. Allen was slated to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
The #Chargers and Pro Bowl WR @Keenan13Allen have agreed to terms on a new extension, per @JobyBranion of @VanguardSG. More than $80m on a 4-year extension making him the 2nd highest-paid WR in the NFL.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2020
Allen now among the highest paid receivers in the league
Allen is slated to make $20 million annually on his new deal, which falls just short of the record-breaking salary the Atlanta Falcons are paying Julio Jones ($22 million).
The Chargers selected Allen in the third-round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Cal. Allen impressed during his rookie season, as he caught 71 passes for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he was hampered with injuries the following three seasons. In 2014, Allen broke his collarbone late in the season. In 2015, Allen played in the team’s first eight games of the season, but was placed on the injured reserve with a lacerated kidney. In 2016, Allen suffered a season-ending torn ACL during the Chargers’ season opener.
But since then, Allen has been extraordinarily healthy, as he hasn’t missed a single game due to injury. In fact, Allen has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns in three consecutive seasons! That’s true consistency.
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The Chargers had the cap space to lock in their premier stars, thanks in part to Philip Rivers departing to the Indianapolis Colts via free agency. Now with quarterback Tyrod Taylor on a cheap deal and Justin Herbert on his rookie contract, the Chargers had plenty of wiggle room to keep their corps together. Give props to general manager Tom Telesco, he accomplished that feat with little struggle.