Brandon Staley is getting a second chance at being a defensive coordinator thanks to an old friend from the LA Chargers. Former Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore hired his former head coach to be the New Orleans Saints' defensive coordinator in a move Chargers fans couldn't help but laugh at.
Staley's defense was consistently one of the worst while he was with the Chargers and he may have had a negative impact in his one season in San Francisco as well. While his role was limited, it is worth noting that the 49ers went from having the No. 3 defense in 2023 to the No. 29 defense in 2024.
The Saints are hoping this trend doesn't continue in New Orleans and to put Staley in a position to succeed, the team is bringing in his former players from the Chargers. New Orleans wasted no time making a move after the 2025 NFL Draft and signed former Chargers fourth-round pick Chris Rumph II to a one-year contract.
Saints sign former Chargers draft pick under Brandon Staley, Chris Rumph II
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Rumph is a marquee example of a draft pick that didn't work out in the Staley era. The Chargers' hit rate on players outside the first round was legitimately abysmal under Staley and Rumph is one of the prime examples.
Rumph never started a game for the Chargers and played a grand total of 580 defensive snaps across his four seasons with the team. Early on this was fine as it was the plan for Rumph to develop as an edge rusher.
That development never came, though. Rumph had one final chance to show the potential Chargers fans saw when he was drafted under Jim Harbaugh in 2024. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending foot injury in the preseason.
This is a complete dart throw by the Saints and chances are it won't amount to anything. Rumph may have an inherent advantage being a former Staley guy but if the Saints are smart, they won't let that alone dictate his role on the team.
There is a path forward for Rumph to get playing time in New Orleans if he lives up to the potential Chargers fans once saw in him. New Orleans did not add an edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft, opening the door for Rumph to come in and play a role.
Chargers fans should root for Rumph to succeed, as he never would have worked out in Los Angeles. The Chargers are in a great position with their edge rusher (including fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard, who we are equally drinking the Kool-Aid on), and losing Rumph had no real impact.
But knowing how Rumph already performed under Staley for three years, Saints fans should not hold their breath.