After the Los Angeles Chargers blew the third-largest lead in postseason history to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Saturday, rumors circulated regarding head coach Brandon Staley’s job security.
Despite the speculations, the Chargers seem keen to retain Staley for next season despite his team’s utter collapse, though he may find himself on a shorter leash in 2023.
He was asked during his end-of-season press conference on Wednesday if it is hard for him to stay focused amid the ongoing speculation, and he gave a measured response.
“The nature of the NFL,” Staley explained. “You understand the way it is and that there’s always going to be speculation when other people may not be thinking that you are having the success that they think you should have.
Internally, what matters is the way that your players, your coaches, your personnel department and your ownership, the way that they feel because they’re with you on a day-to-day basis. They are, ultimately, the ones who know who you are and what you are about. That’s what gives me a lot of confidence in our situation here.”
Staley caught fire when he played the starters in the Week 18 game against the Broncos, which led to wide receiver Mike Williams’ back injury that kept him out of the playoff game. Then, the flames further ignited after the massive meltdown against the Jaguars.
While no firing seems imminent, it has become clear that fans and the media expect more of the Chargers, and Staley’s performance as a head coach next season will ultimately determine his long-term future with the team moving forward.
