The Chargers don’t necessarily need another receiver, but adding a dependable veteran could elevate the offense. Should they reunite Justin Herbert with Keenan Allen, or take a chance on Deebo Samuel’s explosiveness and versatility?
The Chargers don’t necessarily need another wide receiver heading into the 2026 season. Between Ladd McConkey continuing to develop into one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets, the emergence of younger receivers on the roster and a run-heavy identity under Jim Harbaugh, this offense already has plenty of pieces in place.
But there’s still a strong argument for adding a dependable veteran. The question is whether that veteran should be Keenan Allen or Deebo Samuel.
Both make sense for different reasons. But if the Chargers are looking for the best fit, the answer might be more obvious than it seems.
Allen returning would feel familiar, but it would also make football sense. Even at 34 years old, he showed last season that he can still produce. He finished 2025 with 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns while once again proving he and Herbert still have elite chemistry.
There’s value in that reliability. Allen understands spacing, gets open consistently and knows exactly how to help a quarterback when plays break down. The Chargers already have younger receivers with speed and upside. What they could still use is a veteran route runner who can settle the offense down on third-and-medium and keep drives alive.
Allen also wouldn’t require the offense to change around him. He already knows the organization, Herbert trusts him and he would likely come at a reasonable price this late into free agency. If the goal is simply adding a dependable veteran presence to the room, Allen checks every box.
Samuel is the more intriguing option.
The connection to new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is impossible to ignore after their time together with the San Francisco 49ers. McDaniel helped build the offense that turned Samuel into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons during his All-Pro 2021 season.
At his best, Samuel gives an offense something Allen simply doesn’t anymore: explosiveness after the catch. He can line up all over the field, take handoffs, create mismatches and turn short throws into huge gains. In theory, pairing that type of player with Herbert sounds dangerous.
The concern is whether that version of Samuel still exists consistently.
He hasn’t topped 900 receiving yards since 2021, and injuries plus declining explosiveness have become bigger parts of the conversation surrounding him. If the Chargers signed Samuel, they’d likely be betting on McDaniel unlocking something that hasn’t consistently shown up over the last few seasons.
And unlike Allen, Samuel would probably require the offense to be designed around him more intentionally.
That’s why Allen feels like the safer and smarter move.
The Chargers don’t need another star receiver. They don’t need someone demanding touches every week. What they need is a veteran who can help Herbert, stabilize the receiver room, and show younger players how to be professionals.
Allen already does all of that.
Samuel may still have the higher ceiling, but Allen feels like the better fit for where this team currently is. If the Chargers decide to bring in one more veteran receiver before the season starts, bringing Allen home one more time may make the most sense.