Chargers get strong new OC candidate thanks to Cowboys' blunder
By Jason Reed
It did not take long for the LA Chargers to move on from Joe Lombardi after blowing a 27-0 lead in the Wild Card Round. Lombardi was not able to maximize Justin Herbert and the offense in 2022 and it became clear that the team needed to go another direction.
The Chargers have interviewed a list of candidates thus far and for the most part, there has been a very common trend. Brandon Staley has interviewed several coaches from the Sean McVay coaching tree, which is the same coaching tree that Staley comes from.
The latest offensive coordinator candidate does not follow this trend and is a surprise completely. It was announced on Sunday that the Cowboys would be parting ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Dallas is making the questionable decision to turn play-calling duties over to head coach Mike McCarthy.
It did not take long for the Chargers to become a potential suitor for Moore, as it was reportedly shortly there after that Moore would speak to the Bolts.
Former #Cowboys OC Kellen Moore is expected to speak with the #Chargers for their OC opening, per me and @TomPelissero. A newly available coordinator, Moore should figure prominently. Dallas had already given LAC permission to speak with him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2023
Kellen Moore would be solid as Chargers offensive coordinator
Kellen Moore served as the Cowboys offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022 and in that time, Dallas had a top offense several times. Whenever Dallas was not dealing with injuries at the quarterback position they were one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. In 2021, Dallas ranked first in total points scored and total yards.
Moore accomplished this with Dak Prescott at quarterback. Prescott is a solid quarterback but he is not even on the same level as Justin Herbert. Prescott is a slightly better Kirk Cousins. Herbert is one of the few elite quarterbacks in the league.
That is not to say that Moore was perfect as a play-caller and the offense would have to be tweaked for what the Chargers have on the offensive side of the ball. But he would certainly be better than Lombardi and has the play-calling experience that most other candidates do not have.
Dallas moving on from Moore is an interesting decision as it seems to be a "sink or swim" move towards McCarthy by Jerry Jones. It is no secret that Sean Payton may want that Cowboys job and perhaps this is a way for Jones to see if McCarthy really has it or if he can fire him to bring in Payton.
MUST-READ: 4 free agents the Chargers shouldn't bother re-signing
Regardless of the reasoning, the Chargers got another solid offensive coordinator candidate to consider that piloted the best offense in the sport as recent as a year ago.