L.A. Chargers Coach Brandon Staley speaks out for first time since Saturday's loss: 'I take full responsibility'
Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley spoke to the press Wednesday morning, his first time speaking out since Saturday night, when the Chargers lost 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card Round, blowing a 27-point lead, the largest blown lead in Chargers history.
"I thought it was a high-quality game against two teams that are both young and hungry. And so I thought it was just a high-level game all the way around," Staley said Wednesday.
"I thought that there were some penalties in the game that really swung the momentum of the game in the second half, and we just didn't make enough winning plays," Staley said. "And that starts with me, in all three phases. I needed to coach better in all three phases in order to help us finish that game, and I didn't do a good enough job, and I take full responsibility."
Brandon Staley and Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco will both return for next season.
Quarterbacks Coach Shane Day and Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi have been fired, and Linebackers Coach Michael Wilhoite has also reportedly been let go.
"What I would tell the fans is that I'm just as disappointed as they are, but I'm really excited to get this process started," Staley said.
What does it all mean for Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert? He will see his third offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in four seasons in the NFL next season. Herbert set the all-time passing record for a single season in December.
"I think we all know how we feel about Justin. And I know that those conversations will take place in the right space and time," said Staley. "And I'm confident that Justin Herbert's going to be a Charger for a long time."
Injuries have plagued the team: Left Tackle Rashawn Slater got hurt in Week 3 and did not return; Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were not together on the field for much of this season. The team has had rushing problems.
"Our locker room is tight, that we made improvements in every way, and that the culture of our team is as strong as it's ever been since I've been here," said Staley. "That's what I saw after the game."
The question for the L.A. Chargers: How do you go beyond the Wild Card Round and get to a Super Bowl?
"There is progress being made within our football team, and you can see it, because the team that we have right now is a much different team than we had a year ago," said Staley.