Bill Belichick is widely expected to part ways with the New England Patriots after this season. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers got a head start on their search for a new head coach by dismissing Brandon Staley on Friday.
Could the timing align for the two sides to become a fit?
Belichick, 71, has declined to address his future while focusing on the final four games of the 2023 season for the 3-10 Patriots. However, if he wants to continue coaching next season, there are already multiple openings where he is seen as a potential fit.
That includes Carolina, which fired Frank Reich earlier this season, and the Chargers. Other openings are likely to join the list in the coming weeks.
The Chargers are viewed as an appealing destination — and not just for Southern California’s weather. Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert leads a skill position group that also includes running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Keenan Allen.
The bigger issue — especially of late — is a defense that failed to hold leads, much less be dominant, under the defensive-minded Staley. That culminated in the Chargers allowing 63 points on Thursday night to a Las Vegas Raiders team that had been shut out just four days prior.
The 63 points allowed were a franchise record, and the tally also was the most the Chargers ever had given up. Los Angeles ranks 27th in opponents’ points scored per game with 24.6 and 29th in yards allowed with 375.3 per game.
Belichick is arguably the best defensive mind of his generation. Paired with a strong offensive coordinator, the Chargers could potentially make an immediate rebound to contender status in the loaded AFC.
SportsBetting.ag has installed Belichick as the 3/1 favorite to replace Staley. That is slightly ahead of the 4/1 odds placed on current Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith.
Ben Johnson, who oversees Detroit’s offense and has been viewed as a rising coaching candidate the past two years, is next at 7/1.
In all, the book is offering odds on 14 potential candidates, ranging from the most likely candidates all the way down to University of Colorado’s first-year coach Deion Sanders.
Chargers Next Head Coach Odds
Bill Belichick (3/1)
Frank Smith (4/1)
Kellen Moore (4/1)
Ben Johnson (7/1)
Bobby Slowik (8/1)
Brian Flores (9/1)
Jim Harbaugh (9/1)
Eric Bieniemy (10/1)
Dan Quinn (14/1)
Jerod Mayo (14/1)
Lincoln Riley (14/1)
Brian Johnson (16/1)
Raheem Morris (20/1)
Deion Sanders (40/1)
Fired along with Staley on Friday was Chargers general manager Tom Telesco. The move came less than a day after the team’s lopsided 63-21 loss to the Raiders.
“These decisions are never easy, nor are they something I take lightly — especially when you consider the number of people they impact,” Chargers owner and chairman Dean Spanos said. “We are clearly not where we expect to be, however, and we need a new vision.”
Spanos said the franchise and its fans need to take the next step.
“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.”
Telesco, 51, was named general manager of the Chargers in 2013 after 15 years in the Indianapolis Colts organization.
(Odds are provided for entertainment purposes only. SportsBetting.ag is not a regulated sportsbook in the United States).
–Field Level Media