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chris rimm
Inglewood, California – As time ticks by los angeles chargers, win 25-10 Above pittsburgh steelers sunday night, wide receiver keenan allen Approached coach Jim Harbaugh with an offer.
Allen needed only two receptions Sunday to break Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates’ record for most catches in Chargers history, and at the end of the fourth quarter, Allen only had one catch. Harbaugh told Allen that they were working hard to get him the record.
Alan had an ingenious idea.
“Just run the speed sweep, it’s the easiest catch I can make,” Allen told Harbaugh. “It’s like a guaranteed catch.”
So, the Chargers did. With 2:56 remaining, as soon as the ball was snapped, Allen sprinted across the field and behind the line of scrimmage. quarterback Justin Herbert He threw the ball to Allen, who gained 7 yards and made the 956th catch of his career. When Allen stood up, teammates and coaches surrounded him in celebration.
“They actually called me a genius,” Allen said, smiling. He also said he was confused as to why offensive coordinator Greg Roman and Harbaugh didn’t think of it. “You mean to tell me you didn’t think about it,” Allen said, laughing.
Allen holds several NFL and franchise records, but he said Sunday night’s milestone tops the list, when he became the first receiver in team history to throw for 10,000 yards in 2023. “Those are milestones that not many people reach,” he said, “not even the great ones.”
Allen thanked former quarterback Philip Rivers, Herbert and Gates for helping him reach this feat. Since Herbert’s rookie year in 2020, Allen and Herbert have played five seasons together.
“I’m very fortunate to have him,” Herbert said. “He is a true professional and has taught me a lot about the game.”
Just a year ago, it looked like Allen’s career with the Chargers was over.
After the 2023 season, the Chargers approached Allen for a pay cut, which he rejected, and the team traded him. Chicago Bears For a fourth-round pick. It was one of the first moves of the Harbaugh era and one that surprised Allen, whom the Chargers drafted with the No. 76 pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of California.
He grew up with the organization, playing 11 seasons in San Diego and then Los Angeles, and emerged as one of the greatest receivers in team history. Nevertheless, Allen said he had always envisioned finishing his career with the Chargers.
Allen re-signed with the Chargers in August and remained one of Herbert’s most trusted targets, leading the team in receptions with 52.
“I was going to do whatever I could to get back,” he said.
