Chargers News: Keenan Allen Benefits from Early Influence of Kellen Moore

New OC, Better Keenan

Through 4 weeks of the NFL season and entering the Chargers' Week 5 bye, longtime Bolt Keenan Allen currently ranks 4th in the NFL in 20+ yard receptions, per Pro Football Focus. 

The Kellen Moore bump!

Legitimate question: Has #Chargers Keenan Allen ever been on *this list* before? https://t.co/n7rpNd6HC1

— Dan W. (@DanWSports) October 6, 2023

Trailing only Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, Nico Collins of the Houston Texans, and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams, Allen finds himself among the league leaders in big plays despite having a reputation for being a short-yardage receiver. 

Allen's terrific route running, especially in the short and intermediate field, has led him to be regarded as one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. This was especially true under previous offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who worked with the team in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. 

Sep 19, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs with the ball after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Under Lombardi, per Pro Football Focus, Allen saw his highest levels of slot usage. Lombardi's scheme favored short-yardage passes and possession football, ultimately leading to his firing, as the Chargers believed they should've employed a more aggressive offensive scheme under gunslinger Justin Herbert. 

Since moving off of Lombardi, fresh Chargers face Kellen Moore has instituted a different kind of system in Los Angeles. 

Instead of playing in the short field, Moore loves to force the ball deep. This can be traced to his time as an offensive coordinator in Dallas, where the Cowboys offense had great success pushing the ball down the field at a high frequency. 

Under Moore, the Chargers have begun spreading the field, and in accordance with Moore's goals, Allen has outlined: 

"With Lombardi, I was stuck at the slot the whole time," Allen said, per USA Today. "I'm inside and outside now, we're all kinda inside and outside now, playing everything."

With a top-tier offense thus far in the 2023 season, it's safe to say what Moore has been instituting and his means of capitalizing on Allen's ability has already made a sound impact. 

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