Los Angeles Rams Coach Sean McVay Reacts To 'Friend' Brandon Staley's Firing
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to host the Washington Commanders and keep pace in the playoff race, their SoFi Stadium roommates are going through the ringer.
Fresh off a 63-21 demolition at the hands Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Chargers announced on Friday that they had parted ways with coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Staley, who served as the Rams' defensive coordinator before taking the Chargers job, was under particularly heavy fire for his team's underperformance, with a blown 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs being a true low point.
Even though Staley's time with the Chargers didn't go too well, Rams coach Sean McVay still views him as a true friend and a quality coach. Speaking to reporters on Friday, McVay shared his reaction to his former defensive coordinator getting the axe.
Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley (left) talks with Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay after the game at SoFi Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
"No, other than you just want to be there for your friend and I also know what a great coach he is and what he has meant to me, what I've learned from him," McVay said. "These are things that are really challenging. I have grown up in this business and there are a lot of tough things, but I know what a great coach he is. I know what I've seen from my own eyes and I know that he is going to respond and he has got a really bright future."
McVay has produced a bevy of quality coaches, with Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor and Kevin O'Connell all leading their new teams to success. However, Staley never quite found the same success, finishing his Chargers tenure at just 24-24 and just 5-9 this season.
Given the strong relationship between McVay and Staley, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the latter end up back with the Rams. After all, the Rams boasted the league's top total and scoring defense in his lone year running the unit.
