Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley entered the playoffs on the hot seat, with many believing a poor performance in the Wild Card Round could result in his firing. After Los Angeles blew a 27-point lead, Staley’s job could reportedly still be safe.
The Chargers hired Staley in 2021, nabbing the rising defensive coordinator to turn the franchise around and build a strong defense to support Justin Herbert. After poor in-game decisions in Week 18 last year cost Los Angeles a playoff spot, Staley became one of the early favorites to be among the NFL coaches fired in 2023.
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Inconsistency and injuries defined the Chargers’ regular season. After a 1-2 start, Los Angeles won three games in a row. It then spiraled down, entering November with a 6-5 record before a four-game win streak late in the year clinched a playoff spot.
While the Chargers made the postseason for the first time since 2018 and only the second time dating back to 2014, Staley was under the microscope. With Sean Payton interviewing with teams, there seemed to be a viable threat to replace Staley if Los Angeles played poorly in the playoffs.
Things looked promising early in the Wild Card Round against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chargers’ defense intercepted Trevor Lawrence four times, taking a 27-0 lead into the two-minute warning before halftime. Los Angeles would suffer one of the biggest collapses in playoff history, losing 31-30 on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
While the loss fueled speculation regarding Staley’s future and the likelihood he is fired with Payton taking over, there is reportedly a chance neither happens in 2023.
NFL Media’s Jim Trotter believes that Staley will not be fired by the Chargers this year. Part of his reasoning is tied to the Chargers reportedly never gave serious consideration to parting ways with their head coach even once. Furthermore, the cost of a change is also an important factor that might allow Staley to stay.
Coming off his second season as the Chargers’ head coach, Staley is still backed by the locker room. Herbert, Derwin James Jr. and Joey Bosa all backed their coach after Saturday’s loss.
“That’s my guy. He’s put a lot into it. A lot of guys believe in him in the locker room. I definitely believe in him.”
Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James Jr. on Brandon Staley (H/T Bridget Condon)
As Trotter also mentions, salaries could influence the decision. Payton is reportedly seeking a multi-year contract extension worth at least $20 million per season. In contrast, Staley only makes $4 million per year.
For owner Dean Spanos, who is viewed as one of the most cash-strapped owners in the NFL, the cost of making a change might be far too much. Keeping Staley is the most cost-effective decision and with the Chargers’ locker room still supporting the head coach, the only changes made this offseason might be with the offensive coaching staff.