Watching the LA Chargers on offense this season was painful. While the team dealt with injuries, the level at which this offense operated with an elite quarterback under center in Justin Herbert made absolutely no sense.
For that reason, some distrust in offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi only grew as the season went along. That all boiled over after the Wild Card Round, where the Chargers blew a 27-0 lead. A lot went wrong in that game, one issue being a horrible offensive second half (which was a trend throughout the season).
The organization finally caught up to the fanbase and made the move that every fan has been waiting for; the Chargers announced on Tuesday morning that they are parting ways with both Lombardi and passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Day.
We have parted ways with OC Joe Lombardi and Passing Game Coordinator/QBs Shane Day.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 17, 2023
The Chargers firing Joe Lombardi is a step in the right direction.
There had to be some sort of accountability (and a scapegoat) for the team's horrible loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs. While Brandon Staley's job security was instantly questioned, his players backing him to the media two days later quickly eliminated that possibility.
Lombardi became the next logical choice and even if the Chargers won that game, his seat was already. After touting all preseason that the offense would explode with complexity and dynasism, it took a step back in just about every metric.
The Chargers finished with the ninth-most yards and 13th-most points scored in the league. Los Angeles could not run the ball at all, finishing 30th in total yards and 30th in yards per carry.
Brandon Staley and the organization now have to vet the options and ensure that they find someone whose offensive vision is in line with what Justin Herbert can do. Staley's job essentially depends on it and Herbert needs some sort of structure when it comes to offense. Offensive playcallers have been juggled in and out since his days at Oregon.
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One thing is for certain: the next offensive coordinator is not going to throw the ball behind the line of scrimmage more than he does past 10 yards down the field. We all saw how horrible that worked in Lombardi's offense and just eliminating that is a step in the right direction.