The New Orleans Saints have spent the offseason trying to give Tyler Shough as much help as possible, and the work has already been noticeable. They brought in Travis Etienne Jr., David Edwards and Noah Fant in free agency, then added Jordyn Tyson, Barion Brown, Bryce Lance and Oscar Delp in the draft. Even with all that movement, there’s still a clear opening for more help at wide receiver.
That’s why Daniel Popper of The Athletic pointed to the Saints as the “best possible landing spot” for former Chargers wideout Keenan Allen while sorting through the remaining free-agent receivers. Popper’s case starts with familiar ground: Saints coach Kellen Moore was the Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2023, the same season Allen turned in one of the strongest years of his career and set the franchise single-season receptions record in just 13 games.
"Keenan Allen. Best landing spot: New Orleans Saints," Popper writes.
"... Saints coach Kellen Moore was the Chargers' offensive coordinator in 2023.
That season, Allen had one of the best years of his career, setting the franchise single-season receptions record in 13 games."
Allen’s 2023 numbers tell the story. He caught 108 passes on 150 targets for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns, and that production earned him his fifth Pro Bowl selection, which remains his most recent.
The fit in New Orleans goes beyond the Moore connection. Popper also noted, "Additionally, the Saints are lacking experience in their receiver room behind No. 1 option Chris Olave."
That matters because the rest of the room is still pretty green. Tyson, Lance, Brown and even Devaughn Vele are young pieces, but none of them really profile as proven veteran answers next to Olave.
Allen would change that quickly. He’d bring a steady, experienced presence to a young group, give the Saints another reliable target for Shough and Moore, and add a layer of depth that the offense could use.
There’s also the age factor. Allen was 33 last season with the Chargers, when he posted 81 catches on 122 targets for 777 yards and four touchdowns.
He’s 34 now, so this wouldn’t be about the future. It would be about raising the floor of the offense right now.
For the Saints, that’s the appeal. A reunion with Moore and a veteran voice in a receiver room that needs one.
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