Doug Murray / Associated Press
There is no better path to sustained success in the NFL than a dominant coach and defender duo, and the Los Angeles Chargers hope to have found their match for Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles announced that they have signed Rams’ defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their next coach on Sunday.
The ad shared a quote from Staley:
“It is difficult to put into words how excited I am about the opportunity to be the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. While this is certainly a dream that has come true, it is also a dream that is just beginning. There is a reason why it was probably the most sought after job out there – owned, for fans, for the city, for men in that locker room – is the complete package. I can’t thank the Spanos and Tom Telesco family for putting their faith in us, and when everyone are reading this quote in a press release, we will already be working hard to develop a program that fans of shippers everywhere can be proud of. “
The Chargers were looking for a new head coach after shoot Anthony Lynn after a 7-9 effort in the 2020 season. He had a solid 33-31 in four years at the helm, but made it to the playoffs only once and lagged behind the Kansas City Chiefs at AFC West.
Los Angeles also ended with a losing record in each of the past two years and has made only two playoff appearances since the 2009 campaign.
It will be up to Staley to change that, and he is already ahead of most new coaches because of Herbert’s presence.
The Chargers selected Oregon product with overall choice # 6 in the 2020 NFL draft, and he wasted little time establishing himself as the quarterback of the future. He challenged for the Offensive Rookie of the Year by completing 66.6 percent of his passes for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, adding 234 yards and five scores on the ground.
There were few pitches he couldn’t make with the touch of deep balls and the ability to pass through tight windows, and it’s not hard to imagine him leading Los Angeles for a decade or more if his debut season was an indication.
Fortunately for the new coach, Herbert is not the only building block on the list.
Los Angeles also has Joey Bosa and Derwin James on defense to go with Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler on the attack. That alone gives you many game creators with star potential, while trying to challenge the best AFC teams under their new coach.
He also has overall choice No. 13 in the 2021 draft of the NFL to add another cornerstone of the franchise to the list.
Staley has the difficult task of facing the Chiefs at AFC West, but there is a lot of talent in the squad.
It is an opportunity that new coaches who take charge of a struggling team rarely have in their first year, and Staley has proven that he can lead a dangerous defense during the 2020 season as the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator.
Los Angeles made it to the playoffs largely because the defense finished first in the league in allowed points and yards.
If Staley can help the defense play at such a level with the Chargers while Herbert leads the attack, it will likely determine his level of success.