Keenan Allen will continue to run a go route for the Los Angeles Chargers instead of from them.
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco stressed once again at the NFL Combine that removing the veteran Allen from the roster isn’t an option as L.A. tries to squeeze under the salary cap.
Despite the Chargers being about $20 million over the cap, according to Spotrac, moving one of the greatest pass-catcher in team history isn’t an option.
“Here’s our Andre Reed,’’ said Telesco, briefly letting his Buffalo Bills roots show. “He’s our Charlie Joiner.’’
What the five-time Pro Bowler Allen is, is expensive.
His four-year, $80.1 million contact counts $21.7 million against the cap this season. Among Chargers, only edge rusher Joey Bosa ($31 million) and linebacker Khalil Mack ($27.4 million) have bigger cap deductions.
Some had speculated the Chargers would shed themselves of Allen’s deal and draft a top-notch wide receiver for quarterback Justin Herbert. If Allen, who will receive $15.5 million this season, was on another team his cap hit to the Chargers would be $6.9 million.
But unless Telesco is fibbing, Allen, 31, will stay put.
“Keenan Allen isn’t going anywhere,’’ Telesco said. “He’s an incredible player (and) we have an incredible quarterback. We need weapons around (Herbert). There’s never been any thought of that. He’s with us.’’
Allen had a mixed season last year when a balky hamstring cost him seven games. He finished with four touchdown catches on 66 receptions that were good for 752 yards.
Telesco’s most recent comments echo what he said in the aftermath of the season, one in which the Chargers went 10-7 and then blew a 27-0 lead in an AFC wildcard playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Good players make money,’’ Telesco said. “I would rather have a lot of good players on our roster than a lot of space.’’
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