Many in the Houston Texans fan base won't be thrilled with this morning's news, as NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen agreed to join the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year, $8.32 million max deal last night. The move finally clams the door on the pipe dream that many fans had of Allen finding his way to Houston as a possible WR3 or WR4 for 2026.
Even at 34 years old, Allen is still seen around the league as a player who still has good value as a smart, veteran pass catcher who can act as a security blanket in any offense. In his return season with the Los Angeles Chargers last year, the former California Golden Bear accumulated:
- 17 games played (most regular season games of his career, although with only three starts)
- 81 receptions (122 targets)
- 777 receiving yards (9.6 average)
- Four touchdowns
- 49 Receiving first downs
This demonstrates that Allen can still contribute at a high level in spite of limited snaps, which is something that various Texans fans and media members opined about in their open campaigning for Houston to sign the now 14-year pro. Now, they will just have to watch as the Texans' secondary gears up to neutralize a receiving corps. that will presumably mainly prioritize Allen, the returning Alec Pierce and Josh Downs.
Keenan Allen will now have to face the elite secondary of the Houston Texans twice this year
Speaking of Houston and Allen, the two actually met in week 17 last season. The Texans actually handed Allen the worst statistical outing of his 2025 campaign in that contest, blanketing him to the tune of only one catch (three targets), 17 yards and zero touchdowns. The fact that it wasn't a start wouldn't be a effective counter to the point either, as Allen managed to grab multiple receptions in 13 of his other non-starter outings.
Being a member of the Colts, the Texans will now have to see Allen and co. in both week three and week 11, with the expectation being that Houston's secondary will find a way to put a muzzle on a receiving group that's currently leaking oil with less than four weeks left until the first official whistle of the season. Pierce is still rehabbing from offseason ankle surgery, former Colt Michael Pittman is now a Pittsburgh Steeler and not a lot of fans in Indy believe that Downs can carry an offense for stretches at a time. Thus, Allen will be entering a situation where he actually may be called upon to shoulder the bulk of the workload at various points throughout the season.
That problematic reality won't buy a second thought in the slightest for Houston, as players like Derek Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock, Reed Blankenship and others will still be making it their mission to ensure a convincing victory on both the scoreboard and on the game film. Allen or no Allen, the Texans have larger fish to fry than being overly concerned about what skill position players join up with their divisional opponents. While it would've been interesting if he were to join up with the squad, Houston already believes it has everything necessary to make a legitimate run at a Lombardi trophy this year.
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