Chargers News: Brandon Staley's Blunt Reaction to Late Game Controversy

It's who he is, for better or for worse.

Since taking the top job as the Bolts head coach in 2021, Brandon Staley has had his fair share of critics for his aggressive and analytical approach to game management. 

Making no exceptions in the Chargers' Week 3 improbable victory, Staley was to the point addressing naysayers in his post-game press conference. 

“We were trying to go win the game,” Staley said. “I make no apologies for that.”

via Daniel Popper, The Athletic

Though the end result worked in the Bolts' favor on Sunday, many were pulling their hair out after seeing their coach fail on fourth down after deciding to go for it inside his own 25. 

Giving Kirk Cousins an opportunity to take the lead with a go-ahead touchdown, LA's defense bailed their head coach's boneheaded decision by nabbing a game-sealing interception in the end zone on Minnesota's last gasp. 

A pivotal win no matter how you slice it; the Vikings sadly could not capitalize on the poor choice from LA's sideline and now sit at 0-3 to begin their 2023 season. 

Improving their record to 1-2, the Chargers are now back in contention for the AFC West, though many fans of the team feel they could easily be undefeated without some defensive lapses in weeks 1 and 2. 

Bailed out by his star talent once again, Staley's lapse in judgment isn't the first time we've seen it happen either. 

Whether it's playing his starters with a playoff seed secured, playing an aggressive defense when a tie meant a 2021 playoff spot, and consistently going for it on fourth down in his own territory, the former Rams defensive coordinator just can't help himself. 

Even if the Chargers won this battle, inspiring confidence in their lackluster head coach means they might have lost the war due to their "analytical guru" holding their potential back.