NFL Week 18: Packers always a disappointment waiting to happen

Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley proves his doubters right

If the Chargers’ front office was hesitant about potentially moving on from this offseason, Sunday was an example of why it is the right move regardless if Los Angeles wins its wild card game.

With a Baltimore loss in the early game slate, the Chargers truly had nothing to play for, as they were locked into the five seed before their game even started. However, Staley decided to play his starters not just for the first half, but late into the third quarter. In the process, Kenneth Murray suffered a stinger, Joey Bosa left the game with an injury, and Mike Williams was carted off with a back injury.

It is no guarantee that any of the players suit up against the Jaguars, and if the Chargers struggle and lose to Jacksonville in the first round, there is a great chance that Staley is fired, and the Chargers are in the market for a new head coach.

It was truly one of the most head-scratching decisions I have seen a head coach make, and unfortunately for Staley, this is becoming a common theme for him in two seasons as the head coach for the Chargers.

Staley had multiple fourth-down decisions last season that played a part in costing the Chargers wins last season, and you could single-handedly blame Staley for the Chargers missing the playoffs last season. In addition to going for it on multiple fourth downs, Staley called a timeout against the Raiders in last season’s finale when Las Vegas seemed to be playing for a tie, letting the clock run out. If the game had ended in a tie, both teams would have made the playoffs, but Staley called a timeout with seconds remaining, allowing the Raiders to get into field goal range, leading to a game-winning field goal by Daniel Carlson.

With Sean Payton on the market and the Chargers being underwhelming with the immense talent on the roster, the front office should be inclined to move on from Staley and his coaching staff after this season.