SANTA CLARA — Keenan Allen is returning to his California roots, but he’s not comfortable. At least, not yet.
The 49ers’ latest addition to the wide receiver room spent his college years at UC Berkeley, so adjusting to the Bay Area lifestyle should be easy. Learning Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme will take a little more time, however.
“It’s definitely a head turner, new terminology, new way of thinking,” Allen said Wednesday. “I just have to hear the rehearsal, make sure I do the walk-throughs and extra walk-throughs with the receiver coach and make sure I’m ready.”
Allen shared that while most of the pieces are familiar concepts, the names are different, which made his first day very difficult to absorb. The Cal product will have to retrain his brain.
The 49ers acquired Allen on Tuesday in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The transaction was just as surprising to the general public as it was to the 49ers Faithful, with the move occurring just 15 minutes after discussing the matter with the front office.
Allen adds a veteran presence to the room that has been besieged by injuries, including Mike Evans (Achilles) who was unable to practice Wednesday. Allen provides solid hands, as well as a savvy route run for Brock Purdy to connect with.
“Beast,” Allen said when describing his new quarterback. “A competitor. A winner. A guy that goes out and leads his team to victory and handles everything well. Watching him go through controlling the offense, (he’s) very verbal.”
Allen was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft (No. 76), and his resume is impressive, amassing 12,402 receiving yards and 71 total touchdowns during his 14 years in the league. The 34-year-old received six Pro Bowl nominations along with his six 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Allen leaves a 2-7 Colts team for a currently top-seeded NFC team that welcomed him with open arms.
“I feel a little boost in the way I feel walking into the building,” Allen said. “Just being a part of the guys, being in the locker room. These guys have accomplished so much over the last few years and they’re just happy to be a part of them.
“Super excited to be back in the Bay, where it all began. »
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