Brandon Staley has been substantially criticized over the course of the season for failing to achieve much with the Los Angeles Chargers. Although Staley is a defensive-minded coach, Los Angeles ranks 29th in the NFL is rushing yards allowed according to ESPN statistics. On the other hand, the offense hasn’t been impressive either but the worst part of Staley’s tenure with Los Angeles is he has dramatically failed to utilize the weapons available to him.
It is commonly accepted that the quality of a head coach can be determined based on how well the team performs based on the level of talent available. Well this franchise has unbelievable talent, sporting arguably the greatest pass rush in the league with edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Now part of Staley’s struggle this season has been injury as Bosa was put on IR in Week 12 due to a foot injury but you can only blame so much on chance.
Brandon Staley may be in trouble after Herbert’s Injury
If there was anything that was working for Staley, it was the fact that this team still exhibited one of the most talented franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. After Sunday, that is no longer true as quarterback Justin Herbert will finish the season on injured reserve after breaking his index finger on his throwing hand in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos.
Without Herbert, Los Angeles will play career backup quarterback Easton Stick, who was underwhelming in the Broncos game following Herbert’s injury. It it always possible that a backup quarterback will improve after he gets some reps with the starting offense but it safe to say that Stick has a low ceiling.
It is safe to say that the offense will dramatically decline with the absence of Herbert. The only bright point on the entire season that was holding Los Angeles’ brief hopes together was the connection between their starting quarterback and star wide receiver Keenan Allen. There is no telling if Allen will be able to command his league-leading production with a backup quarterback distributing the rock.
Where will the Rest of the Season go?
Aside from a battle of the backup quarterbacks on Thursday Night Football this week against the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles has a fairly tough schedule to close out the season. The final three weeks of the season feature two games at home to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs and then an away game at playoff hopeful Denver. It is likely, particularly without their star gunslinger, that this team will lose out and the franchise will have a excellent draft pick in 2024.
Brandon Staley has Little Hope to Retain his Job
After another disappointing season that will most likely conclude with either a 5-12 or 6-11 record, it is inconceivable to believe that Brandon Staley will keep his job. This team needs an offensive minded coach and an offensive minded coach that actually has some experience. After a long draught of being passed over, Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator Eric Bienemy is certainly the right man for the job. Bienemy has experience working with a All-Pro level talent at quarterback and he clearly can maximize talent (as broadcast by his performance with the Commanders this year).
Look for Staley to be relieved of command shortly after the season as it looks like all of the high hopes of this Los Angeles fan base have been officially crushed for 2023.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @Super_Squatch76. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here! If there is a topic you’d like me to cover or a question you’d like to ask, feel free to contact me at my email timothy.mcbride76@gmail.com