Why a disconnected Chargers team was Brandon Staley's downfall - ESPN

THE UNRAVELING OF the Los Angeles Chargers began in Jacksonville, Florida, on Jan. 14.

Coach Brandon Staley had led an injury-ravaged team to wins in four of its last five games during the 2022 season, securing a playoff matchup with the Jaguars on that Saturday evening. When the Chargers bolted to a 27-0 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter, it appeared the late-season surge would continue.

Staley had the upper hand on Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, outscheming the ex-Eagles' Super Bowl winner and rendering the EverBank Stadium crowd stone silent. Staley, who called the defensive plays, watched as his defense forced four turnovers in the first 30 minutes.

Then it all fell apart.

Los Angeles' offense, powered by Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert, stalled. Staley's defense, previously so opportunistic, had no answers for Trevor Lawrence and the Jags. As the unit collapsed, Staley could be heard screaming at linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite. Staley believed Wilhoite's group had made an error on a big Jacksonville play. Wilhoite countered that Staley had made a «dumbass playcall» and that the linebackers had done their job, according to team sources who witnessed the sideline exchange.

The Jaguars would defeat the Chargers 31-30 in what was the third-largest comeback in playoff history. It was the latest chapter in a book full of disappointments by this Chargers franchise.

When Staley entered the locker room — facing a grieving team in disbelief — he told them, in part, «games like this happen in the NFL.» The message annoyed some players, especially those who had played on other teams and experienced postseason success. To some, it felt like Staley was shifting ownership of the collapse