What Chargers Firing Brandon Staley Means for Detroit Lions

Could the Lions lose their offensive coordinator?

The Los Angeles Chargers announced Friday that they have fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. The decision was made following a 63-21 defeat at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday night. 

This ends Staley's tenure, which lasted less than three full seasons and saw him post a record of 24-25, with a loss in the team's only playoff appearance in his time as head coach. 

With the new opening, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be a prime candidate to take over what could be a very potent Chargers offense. 

Johnson is believed to be among the top candidates on the coaching market this season. He was coveted by several teams last season, but elected to remain with the Lions' organization to further oversee the offense in 2023. 

Under his tutelage, Lions quarterback Jared Goff has played some of the best football of his career, as the offense has reached elite levels of production. 

The Chargers will likely retain plenty of offensive weapons, starting with quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert signed a massive contract extension last season that will pay him $262.5 million over five seasons. 

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Whoever takes over as the head coach in Los Angeles will have a franchise quarterback under contract until 2029. Given the instability at this position in other organizations, the Chargers' position may be the most appealing of the available spots.

Aside from Herbert, the Chargers will also retain talented players like wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The organization will have to make a decision on running back Austin Ekeler, however. 

With this plethora of offensive weapons, a creative offensive mind like Johnson would be a natural fit. 

There is a solid infrastructure of talent in place in Los Angeles. However, the team was never able to make the most of it. In the Chargers' lone playoff appearance under Staley, they blew a commanding, 27-0, second-quarter lead, and fell, 31-30, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The Chargers weren't able to bounce back, as Thursday's defeat dropped them to 5-9 on the season. 

It's likely that Johnson will once again get plenty of attention on the coaching market. So, it would be no surprise to see Los Angeles among the top suitors.