The Los Angeles Chargers entered the 2025 offseason with a glaring need at wide receiver, and now that Mike Williams has opened training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, that need has become even more urgent. While Ladd McConkey has the makings of a future WR1 and rookie Tre Harris brings promise, the Bolts are severely lacking reliable depth behind them.
Williams, now 30 and two years removed from his last productive season, simply can’t be counted on. As Denny Carter of NBC Sports put it, “best-case scenario for 2025 would be the third or fourth option for Justin Herbert.” That’s not what you want to hear about the only veteran receiver you signed this offseason.
So with training camp underway and their top target entering another rehab stint, here are three moves the Chargers should consider to bolster their wide receiver room:
3. Kick the Tires on Amari Cooper
Amari Cooper — a former Pro Bowler who remains unsigned after a disappointing 2024 season in Cleveland and Buffalo
Cooper has history with Chargers receivers coach Sanjay Lal, who mentored him during his Dallas Cowboys years. While his best days may be behind him, Cooper is still just 30 and has a reputation as a precise route-runner who can create separation against man coverage — something this receiver room desperately lacks outside of McConkey.
Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors linked Cooper to Los Angeles, noting the prior relationship with Lal. The main concern here is fit: the Chargers passed on retaining Allen, who is a similar style of player. But with injuries mounting and rookies unproven, Cooper could represent a smart short-term fix for a team that still wants to compete.
2. Trade for Jauan Jennings, the 49ers’ Forgotten Weapon
If the Chargers want to make a win-now move without breaking the bank, San Francisco 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings might be the ideal target.
Jennings, 28, is reportedly unhappy with his contract situation and may be on the trade block. After years of toiling in the background, Jennings broke out last season with 77 catches, 975 yards, and six touchdowns — all while showing up big in the postseason. His 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame and physical style of play would make him a perfect big-bodied target for Justin Herbert, filling the void left by Williams’ uncertain status.
Bleacher Report’s Mitch Milani named the Chargers a top destination for Jennings, saying, “Are they going to rely on Tre Harris, a rookie, to be the guy? Are they really going to count on Quentin Johnston?”
A Jennings trade wouldn’t require top-end draft capital or a bloated extension — just smart maneuvering. And for a team that passed on options like George Pickens and D.K. Metcalf earlier this year, this might be their best remaining opportunity to add a meaningful veteran contributor.
1. Explore a Reunion with Keenan Allen
This one would’ve felt impossible just a few months ago, but given the circumstances, a Keenan Allen reunion makes more sense than ever.
The longtime Chargers star spent last season with the Chicago Bears, proving he still has plenty left in the tank. With the Bears pivoting toward a younger offensive core and Allen still on the market, Los Angeles has a chance to bring him home in a secondary role behind McConkey.
Let’s not forget: Mike Williams just did the exact same thing — returning to the Bolts after a stint elsewhere. So why not Allen?
Jim Harbaugh may be building a new culture, but adding a respected veteran like Allen — someone who already has chemistry with Herbert — could help bridge the gap as young receivers develop. The Chargers need trust, timing, and toughness in the slot. Allen offers all three.
Final Thought: The Clock Is Ticking For Chargers Offense
Justin Herbert doesn’t need an All-Pro cast, but he does need more than what the Chargers currently have. Mike Williams’ PUP designation was a red flag, not a footnote, and relying on rookies to carry the passing game could be a costly mistake — especially for a franchise trying to reset under Jim Harbaugh.
Ladd McConkey is a stud-in-the-making, but if Los Angeles wants him to flourish, they need to surround him with steady, professional receivers who can draw coverage and win key downs.
Whether it’s a trade for Jauan Jennings, a reunion with Keenan Allen, or a calculated gamble on Amari Cooper, the Chargers need to act now — before their WR problem becomes their undoing.
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