The New Orleans Saints suddenly find themselves one wide receiver lighter after Ja’Lynn Polk’s unexpected decision to retire, and the team is not closing the door on adding another option at the position.
Head coach Kellen Moore made that clear following a padded practice, leaving open the possibility of a move for veteran Keenan Allen, who he knows very well from their Los Angeles Chargers days.
Polk, a former second-round pick, was placed on the reserve/retired list on Aug. 2 after missing a pair of practices for an excused absence. The receiver never appeared in a regular-season game for New Orleans after sitting out the entire 2025 campaign with a shoulder injury.
Moore described the choice as personal, noting that it came after several conversations between the player and the organization during the week. He also emphasized that Polk had shown strong work during OTAs and the early portion of training camp, and that the team would continue to support him.
The departure removes a young developmental piece the Saints had hoped to evaluate through the preseason. Moore stressed that the remaining receivers are getting their opportunities and that the roster still carries roughly a dozen players at the position.
Still, the sudden vacancy raises a practical question about proven depth as the offense works to build consistency in camp.
That is where Allen’s name entered the conversation. When asked whether New Orleans might look outside the current group, Moore said the Saints would keep monitoring options. A reporter specifically raised the six-time Pro Bowler, and the coach’s reply kept the idea alive.
“I love Keen, obviously,” Moore said. “I had a great experience with him, you know, one year, but, yeah, we’ll see how that goes. You know, we’ll see.”
Moore served as Chargers offensive coordinator in 2023, the year Allen posted 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games and earned his sixth Pro Bowl nod.
Allen remained productive after returning to the Chargers in 2025, finishing with 81 receptions, 777 yards and six scores across a full 17-game schedule. He entered the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent and was still unsigned as of early August.
None of Moore’s comments confirm that the Saints have reached out to Allen or begun serious discussions. The coach’s tone was measured, and he was careful to note the depth already on hand. Yet he had a clear chance to dismiss the notion and chose not to.
Adding a veteran of Allen’s experience and route-running precision would bring a different profile than the developmental upside Polk represented. It would also shift snaps away from younger receivers the team still needs to assess.
For the moment, New Orleans appears content to let the current competition play out. Polk’s retirement, however, has altered the calculation just enough that Moore is keeping every sensible option, including a familiar face, on the table.
