After letting go of Anthony Lynn, the Chargers wasted no time in their search for a new head coach. While names like Urban Meyer, Brian Daboll, and Eric Bieniemy have been floated out there as potential candidates to fill the position, the team didn’t have to look too far to ultimately find the right man for the job. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Chargers have fired the Rams’ DC Brandon Staley as their new head coach.
The #Chargers are hiring #Rams DC Brandon Staley as their new head coach, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. An impressive young candidate, he gets a prime job in LA.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2021
Staley spent time as the outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears in 2017-2018, as well as the Denver Broncos in 2019. He spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for the Rams where he helped develop the defense into the best in the league.
Related: LA Moves on From Anthony Lynn
That may be exactly what the Chargers need. Their offense should get better next year as Justin Herbert will have a full year of experience and they’ll get back a healthy Austin Ekeler. However, despite the talent the team poses on defense, it was the downfall for Los Angeles on many occasions. The Bolts simply couldn’t close out games and let leads slip right through their hands.
Chargers last three losses:
Week 4: Led Buccaneers by 17 (Lost game)
Week 5: Led Saints by 17 (Lost game)
Week 8: Led Broncos by 21 (Lost game)Also blew a 11-point lead to the Chiefs in Week 2. #Chargers #NoLeadIsSafe pic.twitter.com/MkUZfhln9m
— John Breech (@johnbreech) November 2, 2020
GM Tom Telesco released a statement about his confidence in the signing of the newcomer.
“It’s not just that Brandon possesses a tremendous football mind that makes him the ideal head coach to lead our team forward. It’s that he excels in the ability to effectively tailor, apply, and communicate his concepts to players. It’s clear that Brandon will not be out-worked, he’s the football equivalent of a gym rat, and that has earned him the universal respect of the players he has coached throughout his journey.”
What the former defensive coordinator did for the Rams should bring hope that there are brighter days ahead for the Bolts, especially if they can remain healthy. He may or may not turn the No. 23 ranked defense to the top, but any improvement would surely go a long way. While his defensive background is intriguing, Staley arrives with a lot of experience under head coaches with all different kinds of mindsets. His well-rounded knowledge would be a nice change, considering Lynn did little to balance out the team and give attention to areas that needed improvement. There’s still work to be done, but the rest of the AFC may soon fear the Los Angeles Chargers.
