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UPDATE: Chargers have hired Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their new head coach. It is a surprise hire of a coach who has been a coordinator for just one year. His defense was the best in the league in 2020, but he can’t take Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey with him.
Does a 7-9 season really warrant the ax? If you watched the Los Angeles Chargers play this season, yes, it does. Anthony Lynn was relieved of his head coaching duties the morning following the team’s season finale. After a 21-11 start in Lynn’s first two seasons in his tenure as head coach, he’s finished the last two seasons at 12-20.
The team has plenty of reason to keep hope alive after unleashing the skill set of rookie QB Justin Herbert, the team’s first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Herbert finished the season with 4,336 passing yards, 31 TDs and 10 INTs in 15 games, breaking Baker Mayfield’s previous rookie record of 27 passing touchdowns. It wasn’t enough, though.
Despite ranking top-10 in offensive yards and having the fourth-fewest turnovers among NFL teams, many of their matchups came down to the wire. Six of their team’s nine losses came by seven or fewer points — simply put, they just couldn’t close. The Hard Knocks Jinx lives on.
Interviewed
The Chargers interviewed Giants OC and ex-Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, and reportedly he is a finalist for the job.
Chargers interviewed Bills OC Brian Daboll, per Joe Reedy.
The #Chargers are close to completing their first round of interviews, speaking with #Titans OC Arthur Smith last night and #Colts DC Matt Eberflus today, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2021
Chargers had a second interview scheduled with 49ers DC Robert Saleh, but he ended up taking the Jets head coaching job on Thursday.
Interview request
Per Ian Rapoport, the Chargers have requested an interview with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. In addition to the Chargers, Eberflus has received interview requests from the Jets and Texans. He’s been with the Colts as their DC since the 2018 NFL season, prior to which he had extensive experience as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator in both the FBS and NFL.