Chargers News: Expert Predicts A Coaching GOAT Could Replace Brandon Staley

This might be a good idea.

Bill Simmons, CEO of The Ringer and writer/podcast extraordinaire, mentioned on his own eponymous podcast this past Thursday that, as the Patriots' 2023 season has continued to worses, your Los Angeles Chargers could be potential candidates to hire Bill Belichick this offseason, assuming he wants out of New England. 

Simmons, a lifelong Boston sports fan, rationalized his take on a couple of levels, highlighted by how the Patriots, who, at the time of the podcast, were 1-3, and coming off of a brutal 38-3 loss to the Cowboys. 

On Thursday’s pod, I predicted to @PSchrags that this Patriots season would keep getting worse and cause Bill Belichick to leave for another franchise this winter - either Washington or the Chargers.https://t.co/9nnL22vO3Q

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 8, 2023

That situation has since gotten worse, as the Patriots lost in more embarrassing fashion, by a score of 34-0, at home, to the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. As a result, for the second consecutive week, Pats quarterback Mac Jones was benched in favor of backup Bailey Zappe, and New England's dreadful season continued. 

These recent events strengthen Simmons' argument, as Belichick leaving New England after another non-playoff campaign and opening the door to a turning of the tide in the franchise may be in his, and the Patriots' best interest. 

With regards to him potentially coming to the Chargers, the logic is certainly there. Herbert is a franchise quarterback, and the notion that the Chargers are capable of winning a lot more so than they've been over the past couple of seasons is valid. 

Sep 15, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley watches game action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Bolts have Super Bowl-winning potential, and bringing in a generational, potentially once-in-a-lifetime coach in Belichick into the fray could create an incredible opportunity to truly capitalize on the prime of star quarterback Justin Herbert. 

The clear obstacle, of course, is what the Chargers would do with Brandon Staley. He's in year 3 of a 4-year contract, and owner Dean Spanos isn't known to fire coaches in the middle of deals, especially if he has to leave money on the table to make the move possible. 

Additionally, the Chargers have given Staley a long leash, evident by his retention following the team's embarrassing playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2023, among a number of other questionable maneuvers and inexcusable losses. 

The decision to bring in Belichick would certainly make sense on the surface, with the only obstacles being Staley/ownership, as mentioned, but additionally, if the team wants to pivot in the direction of a young, offensive mind. The majority of top offenses  (San Francisco, Miami, Philadelphia, Kansas City) have a young and/or offensive mind calling the shots, and that could be something the Chargers may want to replicate, as Belichick's calling card is on the defensive side of the ball. 

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