Amidst a forgettable Chargers season, five-time Pro-Bowler Keenan Allen is having a career year.
Through the first twelve weeks of the 2023 season, Allen leads the league with 97 receptions, nine more than MVP-contender Tyreek Hill. The Cal product is second only to Hill in receiving yards with 1,117 and is in the NFL’s top five in touchdowns (7) and first downs (48). He’s only lost one fumble; a controversial decision Sunday night against Baltimore.
“[Allen is] as consistent as they come,” said quarterback Justin Herbert after L.A.’s win in Minnesota earlier this season. “So talented, so smart, knows exactly how people are playing him, understands leverage so well, he’s a quarterback’s best friend.”
Allen’s contributions have remained steady despite the Chargers’ inconsistency as a franchise. Since 2016, when he played just one game due to injury, Allen has finished in the top 10 for first downs in four of the past six seasons.
Allen reached 10,000 career receiving yards against the Jets on Monday Night Football with a fittingly incredible one-handed grab. He became just the second Charger ever to do so (Antonio Gates) and joined Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, Travis Kelce and Davante Adams as the only active players in the 10K club.
“I’m excited for Keenan because it really capped off one of those maestro performances for him,” said head coach Brandon Staley after the game. “A career game, a record-setting game.”
After the game, Allen reflected on the achievement, emphasizing his resiliency and consistency.
“Stack up the seasons, stack up the wins. Once you start to do that, then you start to accumulate,” Allen said.
The records don’t stop there.
Allen set a new franchise record with 18 receptions against the Vikings, also becoming the only player in NFL history to have three games with 15+ catches in one season. In the same game, he also threw a 49-yard touchdown to Mike Williams, the first passing touchdown of his career.
With seven losses already, the Chargers’ season is likely over, but Allen isn’t done quite yet.
With six games still remaining, Allen needs just ten receptions, 276 yards and two touchdowns to set new career highs in all three categories.
Despite his many accolades, Allen has yet to be named to an All-Pro team. With six total receivers selected each season, Allen should be a lock to receive his first nod this year.