Keenan Allen, Chargers Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Keenan Allen was slated to become a free agent following the 2016 season, but the San Diego Chargers made a wise move and locked up their star wide receiver with a four-year extension that will keep him with the club through 2020. The team announced the move Friday.

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Michael Gehlken reported Allen's new deal will pay out more than $11 million annually. According to NFL Network's Rand Getlin, the deal is worth $45 million total and includes at least $24 million guaranteed. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided additional insight on Saturday:

Allen's 2015 season was cut short due to a lacerated kidney, but the University of California product was brilliant in eight games before he moved to injured reserve. 

After posting 77 catches for 783 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, Allen nearly matched that total with 725 yards and four scores despite suiting up in six fewer contests. 

Season	Games	Targets	Receptions	Rec. Yds	TD
2013	15	105	71	1,046	8
2014	14	121	77	783	4
2015	8	89	67	725	4

"Keenan is more mature now and I think that is working for him," former Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd said last September, per Ricky Henne of the team's official website. "I wouldn't say he was ever immature, but people get more mature the more they are in the league and get older. He's more serious and taken it to a new level." 

Although he's never been a particularly explosive receiver, Allen's a versatile pass-catcher who can line up in the slot or by the boundary and eat up chunks of yards with precise route running and sure hands. 

"Keenan's a natural in there [the slot]," quarterback Philip Rivers said, per Gehlken. "He's an X receiver, but I think he may even tell you that may be his most comfortable spot."

And at 6'2" and 211 pounds, Allen has the size necessary to sky over defenders and make spectacular catches—a lesson the Baltimore Ravens learned the hard way last season, as the NFL's official Twitter account documented: 

To put in perspective just how special Allen has been, he's one of two players since 2000 to catch at least 65 passes in each of his first three NFL seasons, per Pro-Football-Reference.com. The other is Cincinnati Bengals star A.J. Green. 

Based on the rate at which the former third-round pick has climbed up the league's receiver ranks and solidified his place as one of the top talents at his position, there's no denying the Chargers made a prudent decision to lock him up long-term.

If the fourth-year wideout can finally piece together a full 16-game season when the 2016 campaign rolls around, he could pile up some stellar numbers and soon make his new deal look like a bargain.