The Chargers are coming off a loss to the Raiders.
Here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts ahead of Week 16:
USA Today: 31 (Previous: 29)
“And Brandon Staley wondered why he kept getting asked if he would relinquish defensive play-calling duties. At least he managed to surrender a team-record 63 points on his way out the door.”
Touchdown Wire: 25 (Previous: 21)
“Watching the Chargers without Justin Hebert is cruel and unusual punishment. At least we’ll see him with a new, hopefully competent, head coach the next time we see him take the field.”
NFL: 27 (Previous: 26)
“It doesn’t feel like the Chargers wanted to make an in-season firing, but last week’s thrashing by the Raiders necessitated a move on head coach Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco. It just wasn’t working, pretty much from the playoff meltdown last January on, but there were signs before that, too. The entire season is a loss now, with several key players now facing offseason rehab, including QB Justin Herbert. Having Herbert in tow for the prime years of his career will add to the appeal of the job, and the roster isn’t in awful shape, even with some major contract decisions looming. The Bolts are also cruising toward a top-10 pick in April, and if this season has shown us anything, it’s that Patrick Mahomes might not be immortal. Even still, those are wound-licking consolations right now that the Chargers hope might, mercifully, pay off one day.”
CBS Sports: 29 (Previous: 29)
“They had no choice but to fire head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. It’s hard to believe this was a playoff team last year.”
ESPN: 28 (Previous: 25)
We’re No. 1 … in attempts on third-and-short.
“The Chargers are tied for the league’s best in attempts on third-and-short (63), which is defined as third-down plays with less than or equal to 3 yards to the first-down marker or end zone. But the Chargers are also 29th in third-and-short conversion percentage (49.2%). This stat is likely reflective of the Chargers’ ineffective run game, which they have tried to spark all season but still ranks 27th in rushing yards per game (95.7). The Chargers’ ineffective rushing attack makes them somewhat one-dimensional in these scenarios, relying on short passes that the defense can predict. Against the Broncos, for example the Chargers were 0-for-12 on third down. This stat, like many for the Chargers this season, is reflective of missed opportunities.”
Yahoo Sports: 28 (Previous: 27)
“Everyone knew by halftime last Thursday that Brandon Staley was getting fired. That no-show by the Chargers was an embarrassment to the entire franchise. What’s next? You’d probably prefer an experienced coach who can win right away with a talented roster. And yes, Bill Belichick’s name is probably going to come up with this opening a few times.”
The Athletic: 28 (Previous: 27)
Surprise: That it took this long
The Chargers finally fired Brandon Staley, who fell to 24-24 in three seasons with Thursday night’s embarrassing loss. It was the fifth loss in the last six games for Los Angeles, which entered the season with playoff hopes and now is the second-worst team in the AFC, ahead of only the Patriots. Staley was hired because he was supposed to be an up-and-coming defensive guru, but the Chargers are 27th in points (24.6) and yards per play (5.6) allowed.
