The Los Angeles Chargers fired head coach Anthony Lynn on Monday, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Chargers will interview New York Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for the head coaching position.
The #Chargers requested an interview with #Giants OC Jason Garrett for their vacant HC job, source said. The former #Cowboys coach is back in the HC interview circuit.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2021
The Chargers’ job is arguably the most appealing vacancy. Justin Herbert already looked like a star in his rookie 2020 season, the roster has plenty of talent, and the organization has resources in place to improve the roster much more in the offseason.
Chargers' job …
• Justin Herbert
• Joey Bosa
• Derwin James
• Mike Williams
• Keenan Allen
• Melvin Ingram
• Kenneth Murray
• The 13th pick.
• Just $152M in 2021 cap commitments.As you might imagine, coaches have been buzzing about the lure of this one.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 4, 2021
So, the idea of hiring Garrett can’t be all that exciting for Chargers fans.
Garrett, 54, was heavily mocked for his decision-making (frequently being too conservative) as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. From 2011-2019 (and eight games in 2010), the Cowboys went 85-67 under Garrett’s leadership, with three playoff appearances and zero trips to the NFC Championship Game before getting fired last offseason. The Giants hired Garrett to be offensive coordinator ahead of the 2020 season, and the New York offense didn’t show much, ranking 24th in offensive DVOA.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with the Chargers doing their due diligence, interviewing as many candidates as possible, and possibly getting some valuable information along the way. But they could do a lot better than Garrett, especially for Herbert going forward.
One candidate who really does make a lot of sense is 31-year-old Joe Brady, who really impressed in his rookie season as NFL offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers, after being the passing game coordinator for Joe Burrow and the title-winning LSU Tigers in 2019. The Chargers have requested an interview with Brady, according to Rapoport.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.