The Athletic's Colts insider James Boyd suggested that free agent receiver Keenan Allen is someone to keep in mind in Indianapolis.
"As Pierce continues rehab, his absence this offseason may make the Colts consider signing a veteran receiver for a little insurance," Boyd wrote. "Keenan Allen is someone to keep in mind. The 34-year-old previously played for Colts coach Shane Steichen when Steichen was the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator."
Why the Need Exists
The Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason to free up cap space, leaving a void in the pass-catching unit.
Alec Pierce, the team's leading receiver, had left ankle surgery in March and is expected to miss time during training camp while he recovers.
🚨🚨The #Colts would reportedly love to add Keenan Allen to their WR room
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 23, 2026
After Pierce, the Colts have starting receiver Josh Downs and Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Warren, but the depth behind them carries plenty of question marks, with Ashton Dulin currently leading the competition for the WR3 role.
ESPN's Aaron Schatz identified wide receiver as the position that still leaves the most to be desired for Indianapolis despite the team drafting Deion Burks in the seventh round.
Why Allen Specifically
The appeal of Allen over flashier names like Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, or Deebo Samuel comes down to a couple of things.
Allen spent seven seasons being coached by Steichen with the Chargers, and while Steichen has made changes to his offense since, much of the verbiage remains the same, which would give the 13-year veteran a shorter acclimation period.
.@RomeovilleKid believes the Colts could consider signing WR Keenan Allen. pic.twitter.com/I0O4Y2tBxi
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) June 23, 2026
Allen, who recently turned 34, spent last season back with the Chargers and caught 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns despite finishing under 800 yards for the second consecutive season.
That production is more than enough for a team hoping to use him as a WR3 rather than a featured option.
He would not block young players like Burks from developing, but he would raise the floor of the entire unit and give Daniel Jones, coming off a torn Achilles, a dependable veteran target as Indianapolis tries to end a playoff drought.
The Colts have a documented tendency to sign players with connections to the coaching staff, which makes the Steichen-Allen reunion one of the more logical fits remaining on the market.
