The size of the New Orleans Saints wide receiver room has been a common talking point. The top guys: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks simply aren't big wide receivers. Keenan Allen is one of the players fans have thrown into the mix as a potential signing.
For the first time this offseason, it feels like Allen is progressing towards finding a landing spot. Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Allen visited with the Chargers, and both parties are interested in reuniting.
Allen is at the age where getting signed during training camp or towards the end is par for the course. He's experienced enough to quickly learn a system without having to go through the physical toll camp can put on the body. The odds of any of that happening in New Orleans, however, have decreased after Pelissero's report.
Were the Saints ever actually an option for Keenan Allen?
In late July, Nola.com's Jeff Duncan called Allen "a veteran receiver who the Saints have courted heavily this offseason." The Saints having interest in Allen makes a lot of sense. As laid out earlier, the Saints don't have a big-bodied wide receiver at the top of the room. It seems Allen was an option for the Saints, but was the opposite true?
In Duncan's report, there was no insinuation of mutual interest. Allen, on the other hand, did give insight on where he'd like to play in 2025, and the Saints were not one of those options. He kept his options connected with a theme of familiarity. On the Big Dog Show, Allen said, "I'm not playing—it's Chicago or LA."
There was probably a hope that Allen's familiarity with Kellen Moore and Brandon Staley could let the Saints slip their way into contention for Allen. That doesn't appear to be the case. Allen stated he wanted to return to Chicago or Los Angeles, and the first real update we got on his future was him meeting with the team who drafted him.
The Saints have maintained they don't need a bigger receiver. If they're bluffing, the signs are pointing to one less receiver fitting the mold remaining on the market.