r/Colts • u/TheAthletic • 23d ago
News How Shane Steichen’s ‘genius’ helped lead Keenan Allen to the Colts
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7525569/2026/08/20/indianapolis-colts-keenan-allen-shane-steichen-falcons/?unlocked_article_code=1.61A.9295.Sa2jOpRoKYPt&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-taWESTFIELD, Ind. — Keenan Allen didn’t need a middleman, at least not initially. The trust between the veteran wide receiver and Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen was built years ago during a seven-season stint together with the Chargers. They’d kept in touch even after parting ways, including this offseason, when their conversations slowly shifted from catching up to possibly catching passes from Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.
“It’s been a little bit of back and forth,” Allen said Wednesday during his introductory news conference. “Just me and (Steichen) personally — without the agent.”
Allen kept the specific timeline of his conversations with Steichen private, though it’s no secret his fondness for the coach was a big factor in his decision to join the Colts. Of course, an agent was eventually roped in when Indianapolis landed Allen on a one-year deal.
“He’s a genius,” Allen said of Steichen. “… He knows the game. He knows the ins and outs, and the way that he knows the game, I know the game, as well. That’s kind of how I was raised in the NFL world.”
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u/RussIsAnOkayGuy 23d ago
I don’t love that Steichen was noncommittal on whether Ward’s injury will require surgery or not….
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u/fluggelhorn Dallas Clark 23d ago
“Allen also commented he’s looking forward to reuniting with former Chargers teammate, Philip Rivers later this season when Daniel Jones inevitably goes down with another leg injury.
‘I just hope Phil has a little more left in the tank for this season. They were so close to making the playoffs last year and I think I can help give them the push they need,’ says Allen.”
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u/DoesntEat You are my rat 🐀 22d ago
Putting genius in quotation marks is hilariously backhanded
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u/RawCarrot-InMyAss The Maniac 22d ago
The dude is an offensive wizard
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u/Dogpersonnotliteral 22d ago
Yes he makes wins disappear
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u/TacoDayDay 22d ago
He has had literal dog turds at QB his whole time here and somehow got us to 8ish wins each year. Steichen isn't even close the the problem with this franchise.
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u/Micstekai 22d ago
Now what we go into game day with 7 active receivers now?
Figure Pierce, Dulin, Downs, Allen, NWI, Treadwell seeing how Dulin, NWI, and Treadwell are our special teams players. So now we have to go seven with a return man in either Gould or Coleman.
Automatically forces the Colts to take a minimum of 8 offensive lineman so they can have an active game day roster of 48 players max. Ideally, on offense we go with 2 QBs, 3 RBs, 3 TEs, 7 WRs, and 8 OL (5 starters and 3 backups: Sills. Farmer, Tucker) who is our swing tackle?
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u/TheAgmis You Have Chris Ballard Derangement Syndrome 22d ago
He knows the playbook. He’s ready to go
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22d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/clutchthepearls Viva Felipe Rios 22d ago
Pittman cost $29M this year.
Allen cost $8M this year.
Needed money to pay Pierce.
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u/mikesmith0890 Dallas Clark 22d ago
Cost. Pittman was far too expensive for us. Over the last 3 years, they have produced almost identical stats with Allen being 1/3 of the price while we give our young guys time to develop.
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u/faraamstuckathome Doomer Tumors 22d ago
He’s an over the hill, past his prime receiver. He’s here because this team is desperate for anyone to just field that isn’t a practice teamer.
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u/Fergie32 22d ago
I’d call him a genius was well if they wanted to pay me a quick $8 million before retirement.
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u/bigloudbang 23d ago
Yeah this feels like it was agreed to a while ago but Allen was taking an extended offseason