Brandon Staley's heated Week 2 post-game comments have Chargers fans on edge
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers were unable to get back on track in Week 2 of the 2023 season and instead compounded the issues from a week before. Los Angeles lost another back-breaking game, falling 27-24 to the Tennessee Titans in overtime.
Head coach Brandon Staley was already viewed to be on the hot seat entering the season and now that seat is molten lava. The Chargers haven't just lost two close games, they have beaten themselves and have displayed bad coaching in both losses. This is the team's fourth loss in a row dating back to Week 18 of the 2022 season. The Chargers have allowed 125 points in those four games.
One of those games was a blown 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round. Many fans thought that would be the dagger for Staley but he (and Tom Telesco) kept their jobs. It became clear shortly after that both men had their jobs on the line in 2023.
Staley is understandably on edge after an 0-2 start to the season. That is bleeding through into his press conferences, as Staley was very obviously heated in his post-game press conference after the loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Heading into 2023, the Chargers spun that Jacksonville loss as a source of inspiration, especially in the team's self-produced All In series on YouTube. Staley was even shown in a meeting using the game as inspiration. Now that the team is 0-2 we shouldn't be talking about Jacksonville. Got it.
Brandon Staley sounds like someone who knows his Chargers job may be coming to an end
The Chargers historically do not move on from head coaches during the season but if things continue in this direction then ownership may not have any other option. There is far too much talent on this team to punt on an entire season simply because the team doesn't usually do that. A lot of that talent is veteran talent who doesn't want to waste a season of their career.
Los Angeles has a Week 5 bye this season. If the team ends up starting 0-4 then there is no justification for keeping Staley around. That would be six losses in a row for the team, including one of the worst blown leads in NFL history.
The Chargers play the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders before the bye. Los Angeles has more talent than either team but as we have seen, talent doesn't mean everything. Justin Jefferson and Davante Adams may end up having career days against this secondary the way it is playing.
Staley should understand the importance of the next two games. Not only is he potentially coaching for his job but if the Chargers don't win both of these games then it may be too little, too late for the 2023 season.