Chargers News: Brandon Staley Acknowledges Former Apprentice's Impact on His Coaching Prowess

The pratice battles in 2020 as the Rams DC did a number on Staley

After the 2020 season, your Los Angeles Chargers wanted to go in a different direction with their head coach, which is why they fired Anthony Lynn. 

Lynn was the coach for four seasons, leading them to a 1-1 record in the playoffs, but ended his tenure in a disappointing 7-9 season, missing the playoffs for the second straight time at the time. 

LA knew they needed a change and didn't need to travel that far to find their replacement, as they hired Rams 2020 defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. 

Staley led the Rams to the league's best defense and was primed to do that with the Bolts. The Chargers gave him his first shot at being the man at the helm, and although it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, he's bound to get a great and healthy season going. 

It's not like Staley lacks the knowledge and experience to be head coach, as he would go up against one of the brightest offensive minds the league has to offer, Rams head coach Sean McVay. 

In a recent podcast released by the Atheltic, Staley discussed a variety of topics, including the challenges of facing his offensive brilliance in practice as the Rams DC. 

“I was just trying to survive against Sean McVay in practice, man,” Staley said. “I was just trying to make sure that we’re not giving up layups and dunks, you know, and getting laughed off the field. And I think that’s what brought it. I think that’s the purest thing, is when you’ve got to show up to practice every day ready to compete.”

(via The Athletic)

Staley may have had the best defense in the league at the time, but McVay was no joke, as he led the Rams to a six thousand-yard season ranking 11th in the NFL. 

Still, Staley's defense was so stifling that he caused McVay to change his offense to counter how defenses would react to it. That says a lot considering what McVay has done in the handful of seasons as head coach. 

Although Staley has yet to translate his defensive prowess to the Chargers, he's doing his best to make it happen with the type of personnel at his disposal.

This year is as good as any to get the job done and show they are the best defense in the league.