There is nothing electric about the 2023 Chargers.
Brandon Staley’s team put up a near lifeless effort on Thursday night, as the Chargers were trounced 63-21 by the Raiders in Las Vegas. It marked Los Angeles’ third loss in a row and their sixth loss in the last seven games.
Staley was already on the hot seat entering Week 14, and even with only four weeks remaining, the Chargers decided to make a coaching and executive change, announcing the firing of both Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Friday.
we have parted ways with Head Coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023
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Here’s what led to the ouster of the coach and GM.
Why the Chargers fired Brandon Staley
Staley’s seat could not have been hotter in the weeks leading up to his termination. The humiliating, blowout loss in primetime just appeared to be the final straw.
With star quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Keenan Allen out, it was going to be an uphill battle for Easton Stick in his first NFL start at QB. However, the Chargers were facing a Raiders team coming off a shutout loss in Week 14.
Las Vegas brought out its frustration onto the field. The Raiders scored 42 points in the first half thanks to three turnovers forced by the defense and four passing touchdowns by rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Stick and the Chargers’ offense could not generate anything, failing to put up any points in the first half.
“In that first half, it’s the worst you could play,” Staley said after the game. “It was in all three phases. I take full responsibility.”
After the blowout loss to the Raiders, Staley was asked flat out if he expected to be the coach of the Chargers on Friday. He said he didn’t know, but he added in a follow-up that he felt he should still be the head coach. He said the team still believed in him and he believed in himself, and expected to get ready for the Bills game in Week 16.
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The head coach also admitted that he would be having a meeting with the team’s ownership group, however that is nothing different than any other week. According to Staley, he gets together with the front office after every contest.
“I always have conversations 24 hours after games with an owner,” Staley said. “This will be nothing new tomorrow. We’ll unpack the game and talk about what we need to do moving forward.”
“Nothing new” appeared to be what team owner Dean Spanos was afraid of. Spanos thanked Staley and Telesco for their time with the Chargers, and said the decision to part ways is not one made lightly, but it was one he felt he had to make.
“We are clearly not where we expect to be, however, and we need new vision,” Spanos said. “Doing nothing in the name of continuity was not a risk I was willing to take. Our fans have stood strong through so many ups and downs and close games. They deserve more. Frankly, they’ve earned more. Building and maintaining a championship-caliber program remains our ultimate goal. And reimagining how we achieve that goal begins today.”
pic.twitter.com/gJAwEtOuko
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 15, 2023
The Chargers have been a team built to compete for the past several seasons, yet have fallen woefully short of expectations each year. The team wasted the rookie contract of Herbert, ultimately making one playoff appearance, during which the team blew a sizable 27-0 lead to the Jaguars en route to a shock 31-30 defeat. Staley’s team also played a de facto playoff game in 2021 in the final week of the season against the Raiders, but lost at home to miss the final wild card spot.
Los Angeles made some major moves after 2021 to add to the defense and build a roster made to compete with the Chiefs and contend for a title. However, the Chiefs still ran away with the division and ultimately won its second Super Bowl under Patrick Mahomes.
Following the disappointing wild-card loss to the Jaguars in 2022, the Chargers again entered the season with lofty goals. However, the team has endured another painful season, going 5-7 before losing Herbert early in a game against the Broncos. The final straws were back-to-back blowouts to divisional rivals in the Broncos and Raiders that, before the 2023 season, appeared to be far closer to the bottom of the division than the Chargers.
Instead, following the humiliating defeat on Thursday, the Chargers now sit alone in last place at 5-9, eyeing potentially its first last-place finish since 2019.
Brandon Staley replacements
There will be an interim coach filling the void for the remainder of the year, but the team will need a new coach at the start of 2024. With Staley out, there will be plenty of quality options for the Chargers to explore in the offseason, including veteran legends looking for a new project and up-and-coming coordinators
The Sporting News’ Jacob Camenker gives a few potential candidates for the Los Angeles job.
Kellen Moore, Chargers offensive coordinator
One of the reasons that many believed Staley could be fired in-season if the Chargers struggled in 2023 was that the team had Moore on the staff. The former Cowboys offensive coordinator is considered an up-and-comer in the coaching ranks and the 34-year-old should soon land a head coaching gig.
Moore’s offenses have always been effective during his five-year stint as an offensive coordinator. He led the Cowboys to three top-six scoring offenses during his time there and twice had the team lead the league in total yardage generated.
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Moore’s results with the Chargers haven’t been quite as encouraging, as the team ranks middle-of-the-pack in both scoring and yards per game. However, they were better in each category early in the season before Herbert dealt with nagging finger injuries, so perhaps the team will give him a pass and still look to interview him for the job.
Bill Belichick, Patriots head coach
Here’s another big swing option for the Chargers. If the Patriots move on from Belichick — or look to trade him — after a disastrous season, Los Angeles could be an appealing landing spot for the veteran head coach. The Chargers have an established quarterback and offense; their biggest issue is consistency on the defensive side of the ball.
Belichick could help iron out those issues. He has long been one of the best defensive minds in the NFL and should be able to get more of a defense that features talented players like Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James than Staley has to date. After all, the Patriots rank ninth in yards allowed in 2023 despite being both undermanned and consistently put behind the 8-ball by their hapless offense. That is thanks, in part, to Belichick’s tutelage.
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Of course, any Belichick hiring would have to come with assurances that he brings a strong offensive coordinator into the fold to work with Herbert. Could Josh McDaniels or Bill O’Brien be enough to inspire confidence? That would be the big question to answer.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan head coach
If Moore represents a familiar face with modest upside for the Chargers, Harbaugh represents a home-run swing. The former 49ers coach helped mold San Francisco into a Super Bowl contender with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, so it’s exciting to dream of what he could do with a talent like Herbert.
Harbaugh’s offenses were rarely better than above-average during his time with the 49ers, but he always got the most out of the pieces he had. He also was always paired with a good defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, and has shown a knack for building excellent coaching staffs during his time at Michigan.
While Harbaugh could be a boom pick for the Chargers, he also has high bust potential. For one, he hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2014. While he has plenty of experience there, it may take him some time to adjust after spending nearly a decade at his alma mater.
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