After falling to 0-2 with a 27–24 overtime loss to the Titans, Chargers coach Brandon Staley’s frustrations appeared to boil over during a testy post-game moment with a reporter.
Staley unleashed a fiery defense of his team in response to a question regarding the possible lingering effect last season’s wild-card round exit may still have on the team. As many remember, the Chargers fell to the Jaguars, 31–30, after blowing a 27–0 lead in historic fashion.
Needless to say, Staley made it clear both he and the Chargers aren’t concerned about the playoff exit, as the third-year coach took aim at the reporter over the narrative.
"I’m not worried about the Jacksonville loss,” Staley said. "The Jacksonville loss hasn’t carried on to this season whatsoever. If you’ve seen our training camp, or you’ve seen the way we’ve played in the first two games it hasn’t had an impact on our team whatsoever. Our team is connected, our team has played its heart out the last two games and we’ve lost two tough games but it has nothing to do with the Jacksonville game. And that’s just the truth."
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Staley lost it when a reporter brought up the Jacksonville game💀 pic.twitter.com/lUK8X180qJ
— G (@3treblig) September 17, 2023
He added:
“It’s a convenient storyline for you and for everybody else, but it’s not the truth. We’ve lost two, tough games but the guys in that locker room, they are finishers and they have what it takes and we’re excited to prove ourselves.”
Staley’s rant continued after a follow-up question about the morale in the locker room following Sunday’s loss, which, again, prompted a heated comeback.
“We just lost a game in overtime, Jeff, how do you think the mood is? How do you think it is?” said Staley. “It’s tough, it’s a tough group in there, there’s a lot of pride in that room, O.K.? And we put a lot into this, and we have a good football team.”
Whether it’s labeled part motivational speech or setting the record straight, Staley’s comments suggest the Chargers are aware of the outside noise and eagerly want to silence their doubters as the season continues.
With Week 2 in the books, the Chargers’ next opportunity to right the ship will come next Sunday on the road against the Vikings, a game that could potentially see the return of star running back Austin Ekeler (knee).
