The Las Vegas Raiders already tried to interview current LA Chargers wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal and were blocked from doing so by the Bolts. With Vegas striking out on the current Chargers wide receivers coach, the next best thing for the team was to bring in a former Chargers wide receivers coach.
Las Vegas has continued its trend of bringing in people formerly associated with the Chargers. The Raiders hired former Chargers wide receivers coach Chris Beatty to serve in the same role on Pete Carroll's staff. Beatty spent the 2024 season as the wide receivers coach and interim offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears.
After a long year coaching in college, Beatty made the leap to the NFL as part of Brandon Staley's staff in 2021. Jim Harbaugh opted not to bring him back amid the coaching turnover despite Beatty garnering the respect of those he coached in Los Angeles.
That respect may cause the Raiders to continue the trend even further with several Chargers wide receivers on the free-agent market.
One of Keenan, Mike, or Palmer are totally signing there. https://t.co/3pM3EHBKrP
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) February 6, 2025
Raiders may target former Chargers wide receivers after hiring Chris Beatty
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer were all coached by Beatty in Los Angeles. Beatty followed Allen to Chicago so there is an undeniable connection there that could influence Allen's free agency decision.
The one saving grace with Allen is that the veteran wideout has specifically said he will only play in Chicago or Los Angeles next season. Fans are hoping he stays true to his word not only for a potential Chargers reunion but to avoid having to see him wear the silver and black.
Williams and Palmer are absolutely on the table for the Raiders, who desperately need to add wide receiver help while likely not being in the market for top-line talent. The two receivers represent different strategies for the Raiders to take and both options could make sense for Vegas.
In Williams, the Raiders would be betting on his past and hoping he could regain his old form back with his old wide receivers coach. Williams had a very slow 2024 season with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers and may just need the right situation to become productive again.
Palmer, on the other hand, is more of a potential play. He is a much younger receiver and is someone who still feels like he never quite blossomed with the Chargers. With Beatty on the staff, the Raiders now have intel on Palmer and may take a bet on him to stay healthy and make that leap.
Regardless of which direction the Raiders take, it seems pretty likely that the team will sign one of the two former Chargers wide receivers. After all, there is nothing more the Raiders love doing.