Allen: I'll 'absolutely' return to Chargers in 2024

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen says he "absolutely" believes he'll be back with the team in 2024.

"I don't see myself going anywhere," Allen said, according to Grant Gordon of NFL Network.

Allen is entering the final year of a four-year contract extension he signed in 2020 worth slightly more than $80 million. He's set to have a $34.7-million cap hit in 2024, according to Spotrac. The club can save approximately $23 million if it releases or trades him this offseason.

Los Angeles needs to shed salary before the 2024 campaign. It's currently $45.8 million over the cap, with Mike Williams, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Allen all having $30-million-plus cap hits.

The Chargers introduced Jim Harbaugh as head coach Thursday. Allen said he's spoken with Harbaugh since the hire.

"He's been watching for a long time, and we actually played against each other: Stanford-Cal," Allen said. "He just wants me to continue to be a leader. Continue to be who I am. And he's going to do his job."

Los Angeles finished 5-12 last season, with the offense ranking 21st in points per game. It suffered significant injuries to key players, including quarterback Justin Herbert, Allen, and Williams, who went down with a season-ending ailment in Week 3.

Allen had 108 catches on 150 targets for 1,243 yards with seven touchdowns last season. The Chargers drafted him in 2013.

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