Without Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates would be lost. He'd still be wearing baggy pants and fitted hats.

The 36-year-old Gates relies on the 24-year-old Allen not just on the football field -- where Allen is overtaking Gates as the primary pass-catcher in the Chargers offense -- but also off the field.

Gates relies on Allen for fashion advice, as Eric D. Williams covered for ESPN.com.

"He's helping me with my dress code," Gates said. "I remember one time I had a fitted hat on and he was like, 'You still wearing fitted hats?' And I'm like, 'They don't where fitted hats no more?' So he's helped me out a ton. He's like my little brother.

"He's putting me with style and you see me wearing stuff. But I'm still myself and can be me. But I kind of get the validation from the younger generation, like 'What y'all think about this?' So it's fun."

It's not just fitted hats. It's also pants. Tight pants.

"The jeans are so much tighter now," Gates said. "Everything is so much different now, so I'm trying to adapt to the whole situation. Guys are wearing stuff that we just wouldn't dare wear. It's just one of those things where I'm adjusting to everything, and enjoying it at the same time."

Antonio Gates says Keenan Allen is like his little brother. USATSI

In return, Allen is molding his game after Gates. That's not the worst deal for Allen considering Gates has accumulated 10,644 receptions and 104 touchdowns in his career.

"I just try to keep him going on what's hot right now," Allen said. "He likes to wear those baggy pants and fitted hats, and I told him to just calm down, take a breath and watch me now. He watches me off of the field and how I dress, and on the field I'll watch him."

Allen, who just signed a four-year contract extension to remain with the Chargers, is well on his way to a successful career. Though he lost half of last season with a kidney injury, he was on pace for a 134-catch and 1,450-yard season. In his three-year career, he's averaging 69 yards per game, which is the 23rd highest average since 2013 -- sandwiched between Julian Edelman and Randall Cobb.

So, clearly, it's a nice situation for both players.