Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley called a masterful game in his team’s 30-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Saturday’s Super Wild Card Weekend action, and is set to speak with multiple teams about their head coaching vacancies.
Staley has some excellent game tape to bring to his meetings with two teams who would at least benefit from picking his brain, if not hiring him outright.
NFL coaching news: Brandon Staley to speak with Jets, Chargers before next playoff round
Albert Breer of The MMQB provided the latest update on Staley’s candidacy for the openings in New York and Los Angeles:
It wouldn’t be too far of a commute for Staley to take on the Chargers’ gig, and with Justin Herbert already at quarterback, the Bolts are ready to contend in the AFC already.
As for the Jets, well, they’re less of a certainty, yet they have tons of room to improve in the 2021 offseason, and badly need a fix on the defensive side of the ball. Staley could really help out there.
NFL coaching news: Brandon Staley gaining buzz after playoff masterpiece
Staley is just 38 years old and is calling plays for the first time at the NFL level, yet he’s proving he can handle the big stage. How telling is it that two big-market franchises are aggressively pursuing him?
Don’t be surprised to see Staley’s name continue to pop up, particularly if the Rams keep succeeding despite adverse circumstances and an unstable quarterback situation.
As long as his team stays alive in the NFC, it’s likely Staley will get more credit for what’s happening in LA than wunderkind head coach Sean McVay.
Being an encore act to Wade Phillips is no easy task, particularly only one full season removed from the Rams’ trip to the Super Bowl. Staley took it all in stride, and a tip of the hat to McVay for having the wherewithal to unearth this hidden coaching gem, who served under Vic Fangio on the Chicago Bears staff for a time.
It’s in vogue right now for teams to take a plunge on a splashy hire on the offensive side of the ball, which is a direct result of how great McVay has been at the helm in the City of Angels. Well, Staley may well be the defensive equivalent of McVay, which is too bad for the Rams if they only get one year with their brilliant play-caller.
The results speak for themselves: Staley’s unit was tops in the NFL in yards and points allowed this season. After largely shutting down Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson and his explosive offense, there’s plenty of merit behind a prospective Staley hire for any team seeking a new head coach.