Well this is big. Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley watched his team build and lose a 27-point lead in Saturday night’s wild-card round playoff game with the Jacksonville Jaguars, ending their season and putting an uncomfortable spotlight on his job security. And it’s no secret why: former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been linked to the Chargers for most of the last year. This loss, compounded with the frustrating season that led to it, may give them enough reason to move on from Staley and shift gears in pursuit of Payton.
There are plenty of reasons for Payton to covet this gig. He would be coaching franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, one of his generation’s brightest stars, while remaining in Los Angeles (where he moved after stepping down as Saints head coach last offseason). To say nothing of the Chargers’ talented roster which features Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball. There are also multiple former Payton assistants already on staff in L.A., including offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, and linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite. Installing his preferred systems would be a breeze.
But the Chargers need to actually dismiss Staley for this to develop further. Losing to the Jaguars by a 31-30 margin after building a 27-0 lead before halftime caps his record at 19-16, including the playoffs. It shouldn’t take much impetus for ownership to make a move here with the prospects of hiring a Super Bowl-winning coach like Payton in the cards. Stay tuned.
