LA Chargers: 1 Free-agent target from each of Brandon Staley’s old teams
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers have hired Brandon Staley to be Justin Herbert’s next head coach and Staley has gotten to work fast, already filling out the significant parts of his staff with his three coordinators. A lot of the staff still has to be worked out but Staley has the foundational pieces.
While Charger fans were skeptical at first, it is safe to say that the general consensus around Staley at this point in time is positive. Staley has a bright mind and fans got a look into that in his introductory press conference.
Staley is now going to have his input on the LA Chargers’ roster, which might change how the team operates this offseason. It is still Tom Telesco’s call, but Telesco is going to be much more inclined to bring in players that fit Staley’s ideologies.
One of the best ways to do that is to bring in former players that Staley has worked with in the past. Here is one potential free-agent target from each of Staley’s former NFL teams.
LA Chargers free-agent target from the Tennessee Volunteers: Cordarelle Patterson
I wanted to have fun with at least one player on this list and I found the perfect one. Cordarelle Patterson is more of a bonus inclusion on this list, as I would be surprised if the team brought him in after drafting Joe Reed last year.
Patterson and Staley did not cross paths with the Chicago Bears. Staley went on to be the outside linebackers coach with Denver in the same year that Patterson came to Chicago. However, the two did cross paths all the way back in 2012.
Patterson was a senior for the Tennesee Volunteers and Patterson was a graduate assistant. While Staley obviously did not have a big role, Patterson does still technically come from a former Staley team.
If the Chargers have their doubts in Reed and have the extra cap space then it would not be the most surprising thing in the world to bring Patterson in. It is unlikely but possible.