Tag: Staley

Social media reacts to Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s season-ending injury news

The general population reacted to the news that Justin Herbert will miss the rest of the season.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert would be out with a fractured right finger for the remainder of the season.

Even though Los Angeles is not trending toward making the playoffs, it’s tough to know that Herbert will miss time with an injury that was a result of poor protection, which has been an issue all season.

The Bolts will turn to Easton Stick to start at quarterback for the rest of the 2023 season.

Here is how social media reacted after it was announced that Herbert will have season-ending surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chargers’ Brandon Staley to remain defensive play caller

Brandon Staley confirmed that he will continue calling defensive plays.

After another game where the Chargers gave up 475+ yards and a specific 40+ point outburst by Detroit on Sunday, Brandon Staley was asked at his press conference about potential changes on defense. However, the status quo is being maintained.

At his Wednesday media availability, Staley said he will still call plays on defense:

The Chargers currently rank 29th in defense and special teams EPA, per TruMedia Sports. In Staley’s tenure as the primary defensive play caller, the Chargers’ highest finish was 20th in the NFL in 2022. In 2021, the Bolts’ defense ranked 30th.

Coaches giving up playcalling has occurred in some situations. Nick Sirianni gave up offensive play calling during his first year in Philadelphia to Shane Steichen. This year, Panthers head coach Frank Reich gave up offensive play calling and took it back from Thomas Brown.

Interestingly, the Chargers did experiment with defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley partially calling the plays in the preseason. Staley and Ansley split responsibilities throughout the Chargers’ three games of their preseason campaign.

Staley has maintained full autonomy as the Chargers’ defensive playcaller since he was hired in 2021. With the Bolts fighting for their playoff lives, one has to wonder if this decision could change weekly as his seat becomes hotter.

Staley will need a better performance from his unit at Lambeau Field this week against the Packers. His defense will need some positive momentum before playing the explosive Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football the following week.

Where Chargers’ Brandon Staley ranks among head coaches in 2023

The 33rd Team released their rankings of all 32 head coaches heading into the 2023 season. 

The 33rd Team released their rankings of all 32 head coaches heading into the 2023 season.

Brandon Staley checked in at No. 20 overall.

I’m not quite sure what to make of Staley at this point. He has two winning seasons, but it feels like the Los Angeles Chargers lose a bunch of close games they shouldn’t. Case in point, their Wild Card playoff debacle in Jacksonville.

Staley is entering his third year as the Chargers’ head coach with a 19-15 record with one trip to the playoffs under his belt, which came last season, resulting in a collapse to the Jaguars after being up 27-0.

There had been some speculations that after the implosion against Jacksonville, Staley would be fired.

Despite blowing the third-largest lead in NFL postseason history, Staley improved from 9-8 in his first season to 10-7 and took Los Angeles to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, all while dealing with a handful of injuries to key players.

Staley made coaching staff changes this offseason, adding a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore and a quarterbacks coach in Doug Nussmeier. He is banking on those additions to elevate the skills of quarterback Justin Herbert and for the team to stay healthy.

Time will tell if the Chargers can make a deeper run. But with all the talent on the roster, if they fail to do so, Staley could be on the hot seat.