INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- As time dwindled in the Los Angeles Chargers' 25-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, wide receiver Keenan Allen approached coach Jim Harbaugh with a proposition.
Allen came into Sunday needing only two receptions to break Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates' record for the most catches in Chargers' history, and late in the fourth quarter, Allen had only one catch. Harbaugh told Allen they were trying hard to get him the record.
Allen had a simple idea.
"Just run the speed sweep, that's the easiest catch I can get," Allen said he told Harbaugh. "It's like a guaranteed catch."
So, the Chargers did. With 2:56 remaining, Allen sprinted across the field and behind the line of scrimmage as the ball was snapped. Quarterback Justin Herbert shoveled the ball to Allen, who sprinted for a 7-yard gain and the 956th catch of his career. When Allen stood up, teammates and coaches swarmed him in celebration.
"They actually called me a genius," Allen said with a smile, adding that he was equally confused why offensive coordinator Greg Roman and Harbaugh hadn't thought of it. "You mean to tell me you didn't think of this," Allen said while laughing.
Allen holds many NFL and franchise records, but he said Sunday night's milestone is near the top of the list with when he became the first receiver in team history to eclipse 10,000 yards in 2023. "Those are milestones that not a lot of people reach," he said, "even the greats."
Allen thanked former quarterback Phillip Rivers, Herbert and Gates for their help in reaching the milestone. Allen and Herbert have played five seasons together, since Herbert's rookie year in 2020.
"Just very fortunate to have him," Herbert said. "He's a true pro and he's taught me so much about the game."
Just a year ago, it appeared Allen's career with the Chargers was over.
After the 2023 season, the Chargers approached Allen with a pay cut, which he declined, and the team traded him to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick. It was one of the first moves of the Harbaugh era and one that blindsided Allen, whom the Chargers drafted with the No. 76 pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of California.
He had grown up with the organization, playing 11 seasons beginning in San Diego and then in Los Angeles, emerging as one of the greatest receivers in team history. Still, Allen said he always envisioned himself finishing his career with the Chargers.
Allen re-signed with the Chargers in August and has been one of Herbert's most trusted targets, leading the team in receptions with 52.
"I was going to do whatever I could to come back," he said.