Colts secure veteran depth with signing of Keenan Allen
The move reunites Allen with head coach Shane Steichen and addresses immediate roster needs as Alec Pierce recovers from surgery.
The Indianapolis Colts have added wide receiver Keenan Allen to their roster on a one-year contract during the 2026 NFL free agency period. The signing, confirmed on August 18, brings the 34-year-old veteran to Indianapolis after he spent 12 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The acquisition addresses a specific need for depth within the Colts’ receiving corps. Allen joins a group that includes Josh Downs and Tyler Warren, while wide receiver Alec Pierce remains sidelined as he recovers from ankle surgery. The Colts were the latest team to secure a player from CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco’s annual top 100 free agent ranking.
Allen’s arrival marks a reunion with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, with whom he previously worked during their tenure with the Chargers. The six-time Pro Bowler recorded 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns in the previous season for Los Angeles. He currently ranks 13th all-time with 1,055 career receptions.
The timing of the signing allows the Colts to fill a roster hole without impacting the NFL’s compensatory picks formula, a benefit available for deals executed after the draft. While the financial specifics of the one-year contract were not explicitly detailed in the primary report, background data suggests a value of up to $8.32 million.
Allen is expected to compete for targets alongside Downs and potentially serve a crucial role on third downs. With all 36 players on Prisco’s top free agent list now signed, the league moves into a phase where remaining talent continues to find homes during training camp.
