The Los Angeles Chargers entered the season as the team to beat in the AFC West.
They made some prominent additions and were supposed to be a better team than the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos, at least on paper.
But coaching and play-calling were two big concerns ahead of the campaign, and they proved exactly why throughout the season.
So, even though they had to endure multiple injuries on both sides of the field and still managed to make it to the playoffs, it became evident that there needed to be some changes in the coaching staff after this season.
That’s why it wasn’t surprising to see that they’ve fired OC Joe Lombardi.
The #Chargers fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
A big move by Brandon Staley, who should have candidates lining up for a chance to work with Justin Herbert. pic.twitter.com/oUs3aHXTQM
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 17, 2023
Lombardi was Brandon Staley’s scapegoat after both failed to hold on to a 27-0 lead in a must-win road game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, and some fans and analysts believe it should’ve been Staley to head out the door.
But Justin Herbert, Joey Bosa, and most Chargers players have shown their support for the young head coach, so it seems unlikely that he’s going to lose his job at this point.
Even so, Staley will most likely enter the season on the hot seat, and the franchise may not give him a long leash after what happened in Jacksonville.
As for the OC job, there should be no shortage of league-wide interest in the position, considering how stacked their offense is and how promising Herbert’s career is looking right now.
