Grading the signing: Colts finally pull the trigger on a WR move the team has needed to make since trading Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts waited until late into the night on Monday, but they have finally added some depth to their WR room and then some, following the reunion between head coach Shane Steichen and one of his former pass catchers.
The wait is over. The Indianapolis Colts have finally addressed their wide receiver need, agreeing to terms with 6-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen on a 1-year deal worth up to $8.32 million, per Jordan Schultz. This is a move Colts fans have been anticipating for weeks through rumblings, rumors, and hearsay, and it’s one that makes a ton of sense for Indianapolis on multiple levels.
Keenan Allen 2025 stats
- 81 receptions
- 777 receiving yards.
- 4 receiving touchdowns.
Why Keenan Allen is a great fit for the Colts
For one, there’s the reunion factor. Allen and Colts coach Shane Steichen were both with the Los Angeles Chargers, where Steichen helped bring quarterback Justin Herbert into relevancy. That familiarity alone should accelerate Allen’s integration into the offense.
But beyond the reunion, this signing fills a specific role the Colts desperately needed to address. Allen might not be a one-for-one direct replacement for Michael Pittman Jr., but he’s going to fill the void left behind by the MPJ trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s going to come in and do the dirty work as the Z wide receiver, running those in cuts, in-breakers, digs, posts, and drags. That’s what the Colts really need right now.
Indianapolis already has its slot wide receiver in Josh Downs. Alec Pierce, who was seen working on his ankle over the weekend, is the player Colts fans are waiting on with bated breath to see ready for the opener. Pierce projects as the X wide receiver, the boundary player who takes the top off the defense. The question was always about who would handle the routes over the middle of the field. That is now Keenan Allen.
The Colts offense is starting to look dangerous
When you step back and look at the full picture, this Indianapolis offense is stacking up. Jonathan Taylor in the backfield. Tyler Warren at tight end. A three-headed monster at wide receiver with Allen, Downs, and Pierce. That’s a solid collection of weapons.
The truth is, Allen doesn’t need to be the player he was in his prime for this to work. As long as he’s healthy and can deliver something close to what he’s done in recent seasons, this group has real potential. Pair that with Daniel Jones, who played well through the first seven or eight games of the season, and this offense could look pretty good under Steichen’s guidance.
Final Grade: A
It’s a smart move by the Colts. It solves a major weakness, fills a glaring void on offense, and reunites Allen with a coaching staff that knows exactly how to deploy him. Indianapolis wasn’t going to find a perfect Pittman replacement, but Allen gives them something the roster was missing. The fit makes sense, and this offense is better for it, while only paying a max of a little over $8 million.
