Chargers News: Insider Warns Head Coach Prospects About Drawbacks Of LA Gig

Your 5-10 Los Angeles Chargers are now firmly out of the NFL playoff hunt.

Following a miserable 63-21 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders last week, team owner Dean Spanos cut both head coach Brandon Staley and team general manager Tom Telesco loose. They've since been replaced by interim head coach Giff Smith and interim GM JoJo Wooden.

LA may have an interim head coach currently entrenched in Smith, who guided the club to a totally respectable close loss, 24-22, against the Buffalo Bills yesterday, even with both Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert and Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen riding pine. But that doesn't mean that Spanos won't conduct a comprehensive search for a long-term head coaching fit. Perhaps Smith has earned consideration, but others will certainly be assessed.

Now, Scott Gulbransen of LA FB Network has cautioned other head coaching prospects about the risks that will arrive with this gig. Gulbransen notes that the abilities and upside of Herbert, still just 26, and the team's sparkling new El Segundo practice facility, have been floated as two of the most appetizing attributes facing a possible new hire.

Money is one of the biggest issues, according to Gulbransen.

"Per the latest projections by Over The Cap, LA heads into the upcoming season with limited financial flexibility. According to reports, they head into 2024 $40 million over the projected $240.5 million salary cap for next season," Gulbransen writes. "After just giving Herbert a five-year, $262.5 million contract, this lack of room for maneuvering poses a significant challenge when it comes to acquiring new talent and retaining key players."

"Whoever the GM is, they will have to make approximately $41 million in cuts, restructures, or extensions by the start of the league’s new year on March 13," Gulbransen continues. "This almost certainly means the Chargers will have to part ways with some of their most talented, albeit aging, veteran players. The new coach will have to skillfully navigate these financial constraints while striving to build a competitive roster."

"Top wide receivers Keenan Allen ($14M), Mike Williams ($20M), and linebacker Khalil Mack ($14M) are on the chopping block to bring the Chargers under the cap Pre-June 1. While Williams is oft-injured and probably a cut casualty anyway, Allen and Mack are two key veterans on the Chargers’ roster. Replacing them through the draft or in the free-agent market won’t be easy for a new coach. Add in likely cuts Joey Bosa ($14M) and Sebastian Joseph-Day ($7M) and that will get the Chargers where they need to be under the cap. But at what price?"

Ownership's unwillingness to spend is also a critical component that should give possible fresh prospects pause, opines Gulbransen.

"Adding to the complexity of the situation is ownership," Gulbransen writes. "The Spanos family are known for their frugality when it comes to spending on high-profile coaches. That not only impacts their search for a head coach, but it also impacts how competitive the team can be for top-flight assistant coaches."

"Their history clearly indicates that new head coaches may not receive the financial support necessary to attract top coaching talent or make bold moves during free agency. This frugality could severely limit a coach’s ability to execute his vision for the team effectively."

"While the Spanos’ decision to move the team to Los Angeles has paid off in a higher franchise value, its value is also lower than the average NFL team."

Will Giff Smith get a fair shake at the gig? Given that he's an NFL assistant coach lifer, and would probably be fairly cost effective for an ownership group that values that sort of thing, it certainly seems possible he'll get a real look.