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Get to know the former Chargers coach who’s interviewing for Miami’s open DC position.
With their 2023 season now in the rearview, the Miami Dolphins are interviewing candidates for their defensive coordinator role, which was left open after the team mutually parted ways with Vic Fangio.
To this point, there have only been two known coaches who will interview for the job – Bobby Babich and Brandon Staley.
Before Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier and Stephen Ross make a decision on who will run the defense, let’s take some time to get to know Staley.
Brandon Staley is reportedly a hot defensive coordinator on the market.
Former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has entered the pool of defensive coordinator candidates for teams with vacancies this offseason.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Staley will interview with Green Bay on Friday and then Miami on Saturday. The Rams are also reported to have interest in their former 2020 defensive coordinator following the departure of now Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
Staley rose to prominence initially following his work with the Rams in 2020. Leading the No. 1 ranked defense in the league with his unique light box defensive style eventually earned him the gig with the Chargers. It would make some institutional sense for Staley to replace Morris with a decent comfort level in the franchise and opportunity to reunite with Sean McVay.
With Miami and Green Bay, Staley does have perhaps a unique perspective to spin on similar schemes. Former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry worked under Staley’s defense in Los Angeles as linebackers coach. Ultimately, it seems like the Packers want a new play caller approach to the same Vic Fangio style scheme that Barry ran.
The same could be said for Staley’s Miami interview. He could bring a Fangio-inspired defensive approach to replacing his former mentor. Reportedly, Fangio and the Dolphins’ split was mutual as he pursued an opportunity to work closer to home with Philadelphia. If the Dolphins wanted to keep the same system in place with Jalen Ramsey, Staley would fit right in. The two obviously worked magic together with the 2020 Rams.
Staley is reportedly a hot defensive coordinator on the market, per Ian Rapoport. Lining up two interviews with another team interested does give credence to that. However, I’d be curious to see how Staley answers for never having a single-season defense that ranked higher than 19th in EPA/play in his time with the Chargers. Or, the league-wide trend that the two high shell schemes that have not been run by Fangio himself have been taking a beating recently.
Miami has their first official candidate for a new DC.
The Miami Dolphins have made a number of coaching changes in the last week, including parting ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who has already found a landing spot with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With those moves, they’ll have to find coaches to replace those who have left, and that starts this weekend, as according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Miami is scheduled to meet with Brandon Staley.
Staley, 41, was most recently the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, leading them to a 24-25 record in just under three seasons with the team.
Prior to that, he spent time with the Chicago Bears (outside linebackers coach from 2017-18), Denver Broncos (outside linebackers coach in 2019) ad Los Angeles Rams (defensive coordinator in 2021).
Staley worked with Fangio in Chicago and Denver, so he could bring a similar scheme with maybe a more collaborative approach that the Dolphins have been talking about.
According to Adam Schefter, Brandon Staley has drawn interest from the Rams as a potential replacement for Raheem Morris
The Atlanta Falcons hired Raheem Morris as their head coach on Thursday, leaving the Rams without a defensive coordinator on Sean McVay’s staff. One potential replacement for Morris is Brandon Staley, who was the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2020 before being hired as the Chargers’ head coach.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Staley has drawn interest from the Rams already as a possible defensive coordinator candidate. Staley is also meeting with the Packers and Dolphins about their defensive coordinator positions, so he has a few suitors around the NFL.
A reunion in Los Angeles would make sense, allowing Staley to remain on the West Coast and return to the team that he helped finish with the No. 1 defense in the league in 2020.
Former Chargers’ HC Brandon Staley is meeting today with the Packers about their defensive coordinator job, is scheduled to meet with the Dolphins about their DC vacancy this weekend, and has drawn interest from the Rams about being a potential Raheem Morris replacement, per… pic.twitter.com/76Bk9ItNVV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 26, 2024
The Green Bay Packers will interview former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley for the team’s open defensive coordinator job, per The Athletic.
The Green Bay Packers will interview former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley for the team’s open defensive coordinator job, according to Dianna Russini and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Staley went 24-24 over three seasons as the Chargers coach. The 41-year-old coach was fired on Dec. 15 after the Chargers gave up 63 points in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and fell to 5-9 overall.
Staley’s only season as an NFL defensive coordinator came in 2020 with the Los Angeles Rams. He took over for veteran coordinator Wade Phillips and led the Rams to a league-best finish in both points allowed and total yards allowed.
The Chargers ranked 29th, 21st and 24th in points allowed over Staley’s three seasons as head coach. By DVOA, the Chargers ranked 26th in 2023, 21st in 2022 and 26th in 2021. The Rams were No. 3 in 2020.
Staley came up in the NFL under veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He served as an outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears from 2017 to 2018 and as an outside linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos in 2019 before connecting with Sean McVay in Los Angeles.
The Packers fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry following the 2023 season.
Some options for who could to take over for Vic Fangio.
The Miami Dolphins, just two weeks after being eliminated from the postseason, parted ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio on Wednesday, leaving a large hole in the coaching staff.
Fangio joined head coach Mike McDaniel’s regime last offseason and helped Miami’s defense survive through a number of injuries to key players.
Now, without the veteran coach, the Dolphins will be looking for a replacement. We put together a short list of options that Miami may look at in the coming weeks.
The Los Angeles Chargers have put in a request to interview Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken for their vacant head coaching job
After helping Lamar Jackson potentially win another NFL MVP, Todd Monken is a hot commodity in the NFL coaching ranks and has drawn the attention of Chargers brass.
According to Jeremy Fowler, the Los Angeles Chargers have requested permission to interview Monken ahead of the AFC playoffs.
#Chargers have requested an interview with #Ravens OC Todd Monken, per source.
Versatile playcaller helped Ryan Fitzpatrick with Bucs, Georgia with back-to-back national titles and Lamar Jackson with a strong MVP campaign.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 8, 2024
Monken spent three years in Athens as offensive coordinator, leading the Georgia Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
In his first season with the Ravens, Jackson put together one of his best seasons while leading the team to an AFC-best 13-4 record.
Here is who stood out in the Chargers’ loss to the Broncos.
The Chargers have just one game left following a 16-9 loss to the Broncos. LA’s losing streak in Denver extends from four years to five as a result. Their last win at Mile High was in 2018.
Granted, this result didn’t matter for the team as they fell out of contention weeks ago. But as the slow trudge towards the finish line continues for the team, there were some performances that stood out positively and negatively.
As always, let’s talk about the Chargers’ studs and duds.
Erickson had 98 yards on seven receptions Sunday, proving to be a pretty consistent target for Easton Stick early on. Later in the postgame press conference, Stick gave Erickson credit for his veteran presence in the wide receiver room for helping out the younger guys.
Despite some low snap counts throughout the season, Erickson makes plays whenever his number is called. His 3rd and 11 reception against the Patriots iced the game for the Chargers. He recorded a touchdown against the Raiders when the offense was largely shut out. In all seven of his games this season, he’s recorded at least one reception.
It was nice to see the veteran journeyman receiver rewarded for his efforts and contributing in what’s been a year of attrition for the Chargers’ receivers.
It’s been the worst season of Ekeler’s career. Despite a stock-up week against Buffalo, his performance against the Broncos was largely the same as the rest of his 2023. Including against Denver, Ekeler has averaged less than four yards per carry in nine of his 13 games. He also recorded another fumble on the year.
Not to say Joshua Kelley or Isaiah Spiller would be better, as they haven’t exactly lit the world on fire with their play either. But I’m not understanding the Chargers’ motive for their backfield carries to be dominated by Ekeler in volume. With most of his season incentives out of reach production-wise, the attack has to be more balanced. The Chargers also should be investing this time into seeing what they have in Spiller for 2024.
From an efficiency standpoint, it’s better for the Chargers to employ more of a running back-by-committee approach as well. The first game against Denver at SoFi was the last time each running back got at least three carries. It’s also the last time the running back room averaged 4.0+ yards per carry as a group.
James went back to what appeared to be his more standard safety role this week after a relatively confusing last month of usage. James had been working out of the STAR role in the slot and that came to a head against Buffalo when he had one of his lowest snap counts of the season in a confusing rotation. Defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley admitted his usage was “a coaching error”.
James came up with two passes defended, a sack, and some big hits that ended plays early. He was flying around and had 12 total tackles, second on the team to only Eric Kendricks.
I’m not sure it was a perfect game that alleviated the Chargers of all questions regarding James going forward, but he looked more comfortable. It was a step in the right direction towards seeing what the plan is for the former All-Pro safety in 2024 under different leadership.
This was never going to be an easy assignment for Johnston with Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer out. It left him to effectively be the No. 1 wide receiver that Patrick Surtain would shadow. And well, it went about as one would expect. Six targets for Quentin Johnston, three receptions, 29 yards. Add another drop in there as well.
Since the firings of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco, I’ve thought about Johnston a lot. He’s going to enter the 2024 campaign under a general manager and head coach who did not draft him. That could be said for many members of the 2022 and 2023 Chargers draft classes, but it’s notable with Johnston given his tumultuous rookie season.
If Johnston does not become a much more fluid athlete next year as a route runner and separator, it’s going to be tough to carve out a role in the league. He doesn’t have the surest hands and isn’t able to get contested catches like Mike Williams. To properly use him as a “yards-after-catch threat,” he has to be able to improve at the smaller nuances of playing NFL wideout first.
Mack eclipsed 100 sacks in his career after adding to his historic season against Denver. In addition to becoming one of just 19 players in NFL history to hit 100 sacks in 10 seasons, Mack’s 16 sacks in 2023 are a single-season career high.
Despite how south the season has gone for the Chargers, Mack has been one of the lone bright spots. Whether it’s a live viewing of the game or a film watch later, his nonstop effort and motor always pop off the screen. Mack also made key plays against the run game on Sunday.
The Chargers have to do whatever it takes to convince Mack to come back in 2024. They need his leadership and his production now more than ever in this transition period for the franchise.
The last three years of the Chargers defense can be distilled down to one play against Denver.
LIL'JORDAN HUMPHREY MAKING PLAYS 🔥
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/bwZBUIyLnC
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 31, 2023
Five, six, or seven missed tackles (whatever the official count is) on one play is just unacceptable in that scenario. And yet, no one is surprised. Third down has been marred by poor tackling, bad penalties, and ultimately gruesome execution.
You can take Staley off the Chargers, but you can’t take his imprint off of the remains of this defense in the meantime. Just a unit in dire need of a personnel and fundamentals overhaul.
Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Denver.
The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 17 against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1:25 p.m. PT.
Who is going to come out victorious?
Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:
This is a game between two depleted rosters and backup quarterbacks playing. While the Chargers showed some life under interim head coach Giff Smith last weekend against the Bills, winning at Mile High is not an easy task. I believe we see a low-scoring affair that ultimately goes in the Broncos’ favor.
Broncos 17, Chargers 14
You know how the days between Christmas and the New Year all run together, and you never really end up doing anything because of the general brain fog of the end of the holiday season? The Chargers and Broncos are going through that, too. Don’t expect much offense from either team, as both are starting backup quarterbacks and missing their top receiver.
Chargers 17, Broncos 16
Both the Chargers and Broncos come into this game without much to play for from a 2023 standpoint. LA’s key injuries list is long and they fired Brandon Staley two weeks ago. Meanwhile, in Denver, Sean Payton and management decided to effectively end Russell Wilson’s Denver tenure after a loss to New England.
Jarrett Stidham will get the start at quarterback in Wilson’s place. Stidham vs. Easton Stick is probably not the matchup many expected coming into the season. But between the two skeleton squads, the Chargers have gotten worse offensive results recently. Denver has more of their key contributors available to them (in other words, they’re not starting Quentin Johnston against Patrick Surtain).
The tank keeps on rolling, but the Chargers keep it competitive in Giff Smith’s third game.
Broncos 17, Chargers 16
The Chargers face the Broncos on Sunday and it will definitely be an interesting game since both teams are starting their backup quarterbacks. While Justin Herbert is out due to an injury, Denver has had some major internal problems as Broncos head coach Sean Payton chose to bench quarterback Russell Wilson. With all the drama going on in Denver, I think the Chargers will take this one home.
Chargers 20, Broncos 16
Jim Harbaugh’s primary focus is coaching his team in the Rose Bowl against Alabama on New Year’s Day.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s primary focus is coaching his team in the College Football Playoffs against Alabama on New Year’s Day.
But for most football fans, their focus surrounding Harbaugh is his future and whether he will stay to coach the Wolverines or make the jump back to the NFL.
Video: @chengelis asking Jim Harbaugh about NFL rumors and me asking about #Chargers pic.twitter.com/3p4EO1RD0p
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) December 27, 2023
At Michigan’s media availability at Disneyland on Wednesday, Harbaugh was asked about his interest in returning to coach at the professional level.
Such a one-track mind. That’s the way we’ve gone about things. It’s literally whatever day we’re in, looking to get the most out of it. Dominate the day. Then we’re going to sleep tonight, and wake up tomorrow and see if we can’t dominate that day. It’s a single-minded group. It’s very focused on just taking care of business today and see if we can’t do the same tomorrow.
Despite making it clear that his center of attention is on preparing his team for the Rose Bowl, the next question was specifically related to the Chargers, as they’re a possible landing spot for Harbaugh if he were to return to the pros.
His answer was no different than the first one.
Yeah, just a very one-track mind about this game. Right now, just have fun with the family and the team and the players. . . . We’re gonna enjoy ourselves. And then get back to business, see if we can’t dominate the day. Got some good meetings tonight. We’ll wake up tomorrow and practice, see if we can’t dominate that day. . . . One day at a time, one play at a time, and that’s how we’re approaching each day.
Soon, Harbaugh will have to make a decision, however.
It’s reported that Michigan has an offer on the table worth $125 million, which would make him the highest-paid coach in college football. But it would preclude him from pursuing an NFL job for the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, the Chargers are interested in Harbaugh for their head coach position. It is unclear how much they would be willing to pay for the coveted coach. But if they want to make a splash hiring, Harbaugh would be worth the investment.
