Ever since the Los Angeles Chargers capped off the third-largest playoff collapse in NFL history, head coach Brandon Staley has seemingly been under fire from all comers. For curious decisions like playing the injured Mike Williams in a meaningless game; for letting the now-fired Joe Lombardi constrain one of the sport’s brightest quarterbacks in Justin Herbert; for allowing the Jacksonville Jaguars to continue the Chargers’ curse at always being the third-best at being the worst. It’s all very, very bleak.
While Staley’s job in L.A. seems, inexplicably, safe for now, it’s no wonder football people have connected Sean Payton to the Bolts’ job.
In the aftermath of the Chargers’ latest epic “Chargers-ing,” ESPN analyst Rex Ryan discussed what’s been wrong with Staley’s tenure thus far. Rather than deservedly critique Staley for being generally overzealous or limiting his best player, Ryan took it a step further. He equivocated Staley’s now-infamous aggressive nature on fourth down to disrespect of coaching legends that have come before.
Yes, it’s as silly of an argument as it sounds, and there’s no way Ryan actually feels this way — if he’s a serious person, anyway:
“This guy is so disrespectful to the game…he’s been reckless ever since he took the job.”
Rex Ryan crushes Brandon Staley. 👀 pic.twitter.com/bMQOYLjwPC
— Keyshawn, JWill & Max (@KeyJayandMax) January 16, 2023
If Ryan had simply leaned on the middle portion of his argument — that Staley’s decision-making can occasionally be needlessly reckless — this point of contention would hold up. But to make the reach to Staley actively asserting he’s better than Hall of Fame coaches like Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells and denote that his decisions make it seem as if he’s also bigger than the game of football is so contrived. Never mind that Ryan’s statement is tantamount to “never evolve, do it the way it’s always been done” None of the pioneers he lauds approached the game in that fashion. They were/are so great because they were willing to push the envelope instead of following the crowd.
Plus, is it really that “offensive” Staley goes for it on fourth down (the Chargers were fifth in the league with 31 attempts in 2022) more than most? Or is someone looking for a hot soundbite hyperbolizing a situation in a Football Guy way?
I don’t know that any of the “Bills” would care much about the former, but I’ll let you decide whether running it on fourth down a lot, somehow, tarnishes the reputation of pro football.
NFL fans couldn't believe Ryan's ludicrous, reaching argument about Staley's issues as a coach
staley ain’t a good HC, but “never innovate, only do what everyone else does” isn’t the argument rexy boy thinks it is https://t.co/HHkvh0vuIu
— hall of famer tweeter person (@Lasagnathan) January 17, 2023
Coaches are weirdly threatened by people who dare to have different ideas https://t.co/4b4mRsRD6f
— Coach T W Fleckles (@twfleckles) January 17, 2023
Upset about the Mike Williams thing? That's completely fair, a horrendous decision by Staley.
But, still using the fourth down aggressiveness as "reckless" when it's clearly been dialed back this year is funny. He opted to kick on a 4th and 3 to build on a 10 point lead. https://t.co/DELEoi984y
— Jake Schyvinck (@JakeNFLDraft) January 17, 2023
Staley deserves criticism but if you don't realize that Rex Ryan is the very "experienced" head coaching candidate he's trying to push here… https://t.co/WIHCEQv65O
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) January 17, 2023
Brandon Staley, career record: 19-15
Rex Ryan, career record: 61-66 https://t.co/0hdPik7EiS— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 17, 2023
A big reason that the Jaguars won is that they were more "reckless" than Staley. There are many reasons to crush Staley, he deserves to be fired…but people need to discuss it factually. https://t.co/O4Yu25UIoC
— Aaron Oster (@TheAOster) January 17, 2023
Rex Ryan acts like he won 4 Super Bowls. https://t.co/9McR9rIDq6
— B. Miller (@BlaiseInKC) January 17, 2023
Disrespecting the game?! Somebody get Rex Ryan's high horse some water! https://t.co/UE3q1u9d8e
— Alexandre Turp (@alexandreturp) January 17, 2023
If Staley didn’t give in to this “old school” way of thinking, and stayed aggressive like he did last year, the chargers would be in the divisional round. https://t.co/Scum9fVO8x
— Anthony (@antg104) January 17, 2023
