There have been multiple articles written this offseason about how the New Orleans Saints are a perfect fit for Keenan Allen. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton is taking it a step further, and saying the Saints signing Allen is a move the team needs to make. There’s one major factor Moton isn’t considering enough, the Saints’ timeline.
Allen is still a good receiver this far into his career, and the Saints wouldn't ask him to be one of their best receivers. The continued connection between the free agent and team is his familiarity with Kellen Moore. It's a familiarity that would help him assimilate into the Saints offense quickly.
The most compelling case for Allen to New Orleans isn’t even his history with Moore. It’s his ability as a receiver independent of experience in the offense. Moton wrote, “Allen can be veteran insurance, an upgrade over Devaughn Vele in the slot and a reliable safety blanket for quarterback Tyler Shough.”
Devaughn Vele makes more sense for the Saints than Keenan Allen
The reason Allen is still available is the exact reason the Saints shouldn't sign him: age. Allen's age won't prevent him from being a great asset in 2026. Matter of fact, Moton stands a good chance at being right on allen being an upgrade over Vele.
What happens after this season? Allen feels like a one year rental the Saints would make if they were looking to get pushed over the top or if they had a clear void at the position. Neither is true.
It's far from unfathomable that the Saints could win the division and make the playoffs, but it would be a surprise if they're knocking on the door as one of the NFC's best teams. We've seen teams make that leap, but it was a surprise each time. Even though they have the potential, you can't expect the Saints to be the next 2024 Washington Commanders or 2025 New England Patriots.
The Saints certainly can't make moves as if that's the expectation, and signing Allen would fall in line with that thought process. He's a veteran who won't be a part of the Saints long term vision. It'd be a better pickup for a team that felt they were closer to getting over the hump.
Additionally, the Saints don't have a void behind Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson. Like Shough, Vele closed the 2025 season on a hot streak. He's more than earned a larger role to show he can be a part of the long term vision with the team.
The Saints are steadily building this team up, so they need to keep making moves that align with that philosophy. Part of that is building with players who can be around for the foreseeable future. Allen doesn't check that box, while Vele does, so choosing Vele over Allen is prioritizing the future over present.
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