How Desirable Should Chargers Coach Job Be This Offseason?

The 2024 coaching free agent class is unusually loaded.

Your Los Angeles Chargers are going to be changing out their personnel both on and off the field this summer. The Bolts canned third-year head coach Brandon Staley and 11th-year general manger Tom Telesco following a miserable 63-21 Week 14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders this year.

When it comes to coaching needs in particular, LA appears to have majorly lucked out this year. 

The 2024 NFL offseason already boasts a particularly starry list of free agent head coaches: the best remaining coach in college football (following the retirement of Alabama's Nick Saban), Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and of course, the best NFL head coach of all time, Bill Belichick, recently of the New England Patriots. One can also safely assume that some other playoff head coach gets dismissed following an early exit or a particularly disappointing game.

The Bolts boast one massive asset that should intrigue any of the many, many prospects: star quarterback Justin Herbert. The 6'6" play caller is one of the most intriguing, high-upside young NFL talents at the league's most important position. He's a prolific passer and a tough cover when forced to run. 

Herbert's late-game decision making has been called into question at times over the years, though his receivers are often injured and he's never had particularly talented running backs at his disposal. That's why the Chargers' next GM choice is probably even more critical than their next coaching hire, as the club will need to augment the former Oregon Duck with better weapons to truly maximize his exciting extant ability.