The Las Vegas Raiders initially attempted to interview LA Chargers wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal but were blocked by the Chargers. With that option off the table, the Raiders turned to another familiar face, hiring former Chargers wide receivers coach Chris Beatty for 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.
Beatty made the jump to the NFL in 2021, joining Brandon Staley’s staff after a long coaching career in college. Despite earning the respect of his players in Los Angeles, he was not retained by Jim Harbaugh following the Chargers’ coaching overhaul.
With several Chargers wide receivers set to hit free agency, Beatty’s hiring could influence the Raiders’ offseason moves.
Raiders May Pursue Former Chargers Wide Receivers
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer all played under Beatty in Los Angeles. Beatty even followed Allen to Chicago, strengthening their connection. While Allen has stated he will only play in Chicago or Los Angeles next season, fans of his former team hope he stays true to that, preventing a potential move to the Raiders.
Williams and Palmer, however, remain viable options for Las Vegas. The Raiders need wide receiver help but may not pursue top-tier talent. Williams would be a gamble on past performance, hoping he can recapture his form under his former coach after a disappointing 2024 season with the Jets and Steelers. Palmer, on the other hand, represents a potential long-term investment. Still relatively young, he never fully broke out with the Chargers, but with Beatty’s insight, the Raiders may take a chance on his development.
Given their track record of targeting former Chargers personnel, it seems likely that Las Vegas will sign at least one of these receivers.
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