Given the impressive rookie season from quarterback Justin Herbert, many football observers believed the Los Angeles Chargers would target an offensive-minded individual as their next head coach. Perhaps Brian Daboll, given what he has done with Josh Allen. Maybe Joe Brady, or Eric Bieniemy, or perhaps even Mike Kafta.
The organization went in a different direction.
According to Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network, the Chargers are going to name Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their next head coach:
The #Chargers are hiring #Rams DC Brandon Staley as their new head coach, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. An impressive young candidate, he gets a prime job in LA.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2021
This is an intriguing hire. Given the need to continue Herbert’s development you would think an offensive mind was the move here, but the Chargers are banking on Staley bringing his defensive wizardry across town. This season under Staley the Rams improved in a number of defensive categories and found ways to stop the run out of some different two-high safety looks.
This now means the offensive coordinator hire becomes critical. Staley would be wise to look at Pep Hamilton, currently the quarterbacks coach in Los Angeles, to stay on as the offensive coordinator, to keep some consistency around the young quarterback.
