Perhaps the forecast in Nashville before 4 p.m. ET signified the future of Brandon Staley and his ties with the Los Angeles Chargers: Gloomy, rainy, slippery, and no sight of sunlight breaking through the storm.
Staley and the Chargers sit at 0-2 following their 27-24 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans Sunday. Now, for the second straight week, the third-year head coach has been the subject of ripping by NFL analysts … with some believing it’s time for a change.
‘Total Waste’ for Chargers to Keep Brandon Staley, Radio Personality Says
The reactions became relentless and filled with strong adjectives directed toward Staley.
One verbose post came from Sirius XM radio personality and CBS Sports columnist Adam Schein, who believes the Bolts keeping Staley has become “a total waste” for the team.
“Pathetic, unacceptable Chargers loss. What a waste. This is what happens when you employ Brandon Staley and expect things to change. What a total waste,” Schein shared on X.
Pathetic, unacceptable Chargers loss. What a waste. This is what happens when you employ Brandon Staley and expect things to change. What a total waste.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) September 17, 2023
Jarrett Bailey of USA Today was just as vocal. He stated how the Bolts needed to clean house and pointed to where it should begin.
People need fired from the Chargers staff. Starting with Brandon Staley.
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) September 17, 2023
Even Bolt fans are getting restless. One season ticket holder pointed out how Staley’s defense made Ryan Tannehill look like one of the more accurate throwers in the league.
Week 1 Ryan Tannehill had 3 INT’s and a 28.8 Rating.
Week 2 Ryan Tannehill plays the CHARGERS DEFENSE and doesn’t turn it over, has an 83% comp. % and had a 123.3 RTG.
The Chargers pass coverage is horrendous and Brandon Staley is about to be out of a job. pic.twitter.com/13m1X49Q0L
— Ryan DePaul (@RyanDePaul) September 17, 2023
But another Chargers fan doesn’t just want to see Staley head out; he’s hoping there’s a change at general manager too.
If you say to fire Brandon Staley, don’t forget to say fire Tom Telesco as well.
Do not let this loser GM hide
— CHARGERS⚡️TRUTHER (@ChargersTruther) September 17, 2023
What Went Wrong This Time for Staley and the Chargers?
Last week, Staley’s Chargers got into a shootout that saw seven lead changes, but the Miami Dolphins came away with the final one.
In Week 2, Los Angeles blew a double-digit lead.
The Chargers lost an early 11-point advantage right after putting together an eight-play drive that culminated in the bold decision to go for it on 4th-and-4, leading to Justin Herbert connecting with Keenan Allen for the 8-yard touchdown. Then, offensive lineman Trey Pipkins scored the rare big-man touchdown on the two-point conversion.
But it all began to snowball for the Bolts when Tannehill found Treylon Burks with separation against Asante Samuel Jr.:
TANNEHILL GOES DEEP TO BURKS!
📺: #LACvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/RHPbiNKRpB— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
Two plays later, Derrick Henry scored a 1-yard TD — the rally was on.
Offensively, the Bolts’ next seven offensive possessions saw just one touchdown, two field goals, and multiple punts.
Meanwhile, Tennessee put up three punts, two field goals, and two touchdowns. Their final two offensive series ended in a four-yard Tannehill touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and the game-sealing field goal in overtime.
Tannehill ended the game 20 of 24 for 246 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
MORE: Tracking Every NFL Injury Week 2
It’s the first time Staley has started a season 0-2 as a head coach. Some national analysts and members of the Chargers fan base are beginning to believe the team should part ways with him.
Perhaps the weather late in the Week 2 loss indicated a storm is indeed rapidly forming over Staley.
