Chargers' Head Coach Brandon Staley's Future May Be Linked to Postseason Outcome
When the Los Angeles Chargers hired Brandon Staley to take over as their head coach a few years ago, they did so with the belief that he could take them to the promised land. However, his first two seasons have been filled with criticisms and inconsistency.
He enters his third season with the team ready to help them make a deep playoff run. LA made the postseason last year, but they were bounced in the wild-card round. They blew a 27-0 lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and there were calls to fire Staley during the offseason.
The front office elected not to do so, instead getting him a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore. But as the new season inches ever closer, the fate of Staley’s job really depends on the success of the Chargers this season.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes that Staley must win at least one playoff game this season if he is to keep his job past this year.
“The Chargers do have a loaded team. The addition of rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston gives Herbert one of the better cadres of passing-game talent in the league. They have a solid offensive line, and the addition of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks shored up the team's biggest weakness on that side of the ball. In theory, L.A. has the talent to compete with the Chiefs in the AFC West.”
The NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league. If the Chargers fail to find success this season, changes will need to be made. Typically, teams make changes at the head coaching position first before anything else drastic.
It’s a make-or-break year for Staley and the Chargers. They have the means to be a sleeper Super Bowl team but now need to go out and execute on the field.
