NFL Exec on Chargers' Staley: 'For Such a Smart Guy, He Sure Does Some Dumb Things'

Executives, fans, and players have begun to share the same sentiment.

Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley has begun to develop a reputation of being quite an aggressive decision-maker, especially when it comes to late-game situations. 

With football being such a complex and nuanced sport, NFL coaches are prone to make incorrect decisions at countless points throughout a season. Staley, however, seems to end up at these points more often than other coaches, where, he has also managed to oftentimes make incorrect decisions. 

On the matter, NBC Sports' Peter King mentioned a text he received from an NFL Executive regarding Staley: "For such a smart guy, he sure does some dumb things." 

Staley's reputation can be traced back to aggressive 4th-down decisions even back in his rookie coaching campaign, as back in the 2021 season, Staley called for 4th-down attempts in a number of games, including in the Chargers' Week 18 win-and-in game against the Las Vegas Raiders, which was deemed highly controversial. That decision featured the Chargers going for it on their own 18-yard line, late in the game, and went on to lose in overtime. 

Staley's aggression, which at times has led to success, is often seen as unnecessary risk even at its optimal output. In Week 3 of this season, for example, facing the Minnesota Vikings, the Chargers went for it on 4th-down with 1:51 remaining, at their own 24-yard line. While the Chargers eventually managed to escape the game due to a surprising defensive stop with the game on the line (akin to Week 4), had Minnesota, who has one of the league's top offenses, successfully converted on what was functionally a red zone opportunity, Staley would've been met with tremendous criticism for choosing such an aggressive strategy.

While the Chargers currently sit at 2-2 entering their Week 5 bye, Staley's consistent and controversial placement of the team in vulnerable positions could easily end up being one of the primary deciding factors of their season in a highly competitive AFC. And, on a larger scale, may ultimately be a key driver in his job security.