Surging rumors signal the beginning of the end for Jesse Minter and the Chargers

With the success that the Los Angeles Chargers' defense has found, it's no surprise that second-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will garner head coaching buzz this offseason.

The Chargers have allowed the second-fewest total yards to opposing offenses heading into Week 16. They've totaled 17 interceptions: the third-most in the NFL. Despite inconsistencies in their run-stopping, they've also allowed the 10th-fewest rushing yards of any team this season.

Without a doubt, Minter has found great success in his first two years on an NFL staff, and, as a young and innovative coordinator, he will be getting serious looks from other teams looking to bring in a defensive-minded approach to their staff.

Yet it does come as somewhat of a surprise that interest would come so quickly. As reported by Dianna Russini, Minter is among a handful of candidates the Tennessee Titans are already considering for their vacant head coaching job.

While Minter's departure might not take place this year, it is looking more and more like a promotion is in store for him in the near future.

The Titans might not be the job for Jesse Minter, but the right one is almost certain to come along eventually

After a 1-5 start to the season, Titans head coach Brian Callahan was relieved of his duties. With a decent defensive outlook and a promising young quarterback in Cam Ward, Tennessee will likely be a desirable vacancy this offseason for anyone entering the coaching pool.

It's hard to imagine, however, that the Titans will ultimately go the defensive route with their coaching hire given their very obvious need to continue Ward's development.

Yet it is also not the only job that Minter will be considered for this offseason. The New York Giants are also in need of a head coach. Any number of additional teams, including the underperforming Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins, could also be in play as their seasons come to an end.

Therefore, while interest from the Titans by no means immediately guarantees Minter's departure, it is the first sign of an inevitability.

Even if it's not this offseason, Minter has already shown enough at the NFL level that a team will, at some point, be willing to give him a shot.

Thankfully, the Chargers have enough defensive pieces and a sufficient organizational identity that Minter's departure, when it happens, should not be totally disastrous. Nevertheless, it will undoubtedly be painful for the team to lose an absolutely crucial piece of their staff.