The Las Vegas Raiders replaced Antonio Pierce with Pete Carroll and fired former LA Chargers GM Tom Telesco this offseason. Even with Telesco out the door, Carroll and the Raiders are still trying to continue the tradition of poaching talent from the Chargers.
While building out his staff, Carroll has already attempted to steal a coach from his long-time rival, Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh and the Chargers are not allowing it to happen.
Las Vegas requested to interview wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal to be the team's pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Since it was not a direct promotion to offensive coordinator, the Chargers had the ability to block the interview and they did. Lal will not be joining the Raiders' staff, and will likely stay in Los Angeles in 2025.
Chargers block Raiders from interviewing Sanjay Lal
This is deeper than it just being a division rival the Raiders were trying to poach from. Lal came over from the Seattle Seahawks and coached under Carroll for several years. Carroll was obviously attempting to cash in on that connection but Lal is too important to the Chargers.
The Chargers' wideout room may have been somewhat disappointing in 2024 but Lal still played a big role in several key ways for the Chargers.
Ladd McConkey was one of the most impressive rookies in the league under Lal and even though he was not perfect, Quentin Johnston took a step forward in 2024 under Lal.
Lal may also have an important role in a big move the Chargers could potentially make this offseason. Star wideout DK Metcalf has been involved in trade rumors with the Chargers seeming like a natural fit. Lal's insight on Metcalf because of their shared time together plays a key role in whether or not the Chargers explore that possibility.
The one interesting thing about this request from the Raiders is we have no idea what Lal would have done. Would Lal have spurned the Chargers to rejoin Carroll in Las Vegas? The situation seems bleak in Vegas, so perhaps not, but it is impossible to know.
Either way, unless the Raiders want to elevate Lal all the way to offensive coordinator (which is extremely unlikely), he will be staying in Los Angeles in 2025. And quite frankly, that is the best possible outcome for the Bolts.