The Los Angeles Chargers reached an agreement with former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their new coach, but was unable to hire a coach different from their rival in the city. On Tuesday, Albert Breer of MMQB reported that the Rams had prevented offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from doing an interview for the same job with the Chargers. Breer reports that the Rams value O’Connell and the work he did for them last year, and they don’t want to lose him. However, the lines of communication remain open, so things can change. But this is where the Rams are now. Since that would have been a sideways move for O’Connell, Rams coach Sean McVay would have to approve it. He has done this before, however, as when he gave the Tennessee Titans the thumbs-up to hire Matt LaFleur in 2018.
Although O’Connell was an offensive coordinator for two years with the Washington Football Team and the Rams, joining the Chargers would have been a promotion. Since Staley is a defensive-minded coach, O’Connell probably would have been the offensive player – a role he does not have with the Rams – and would be responsible for the development of second year defender Justin Herbert.
O’Connell started his coaching career in 2015 as a Cleveland Browns quarterback coach, and also spent a year with the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive assistant before joining Washington in 2017. He served as a passing game coordinator and coach for defenders, but Washington coach Jay Gruden promoted him to offensive coordinator so he wouldn’t lose him to another NFL team. When Gruden was fired in Washington, O’Connell also received some consideration for the position of head coach.
With regard to the ongoing search for an offensive coordinator, the current Chargers offensive coordinator, Shane Steichen, can be hired. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports that it remains a strong domestic option. The Chargers hired a defensive-minded coach, but that does not mean they are ignoring the attack.