Brandon Staley on if he will continue to call the Chargers plays on defense:
“You can stop asking that question. I’m going to be calling the defenses, okay? So we’re clear. So you don’t have to ask that again.” pic.twitter.com/eno5OOSvOw
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 19, 2023
Brandon Staley had to face the music in his weekly postgame presser after the Chargers came up short against the Packers.
On whether he should retain defensive play calling, Staley was rather unapologetic in his response.
I have full confidence in our way of playing. Full confidence in myself as the play caller and the way that we teach and the way that we scheme. Full confidence in that. We gotta bring this group together and do it consistently. And that’s where it’s at. So you can stop asking that question. I’m going to be calling the defenses. So we’re clear. So you don’t have to ask that again.
Staley was asked a similar question on Wednesday following 475+ yard, 41 point game the Lions put on his defense. Both times, Staley said that the defense will largely maintain the same structure.
Staley did decide to move Derwin James into more box snaps where he was playing the STAR role in the slot. It was particularly noticeable earlier in the game. But as for personnel or coaching staff changes, it seems that the dismayed fans may have to wait longer.
While Staley is unlikely to give up play calling unless he’s forced to, it’s a fair question to ask why he should retain it at this point. In his three years as head coach/defensive play caller, Staley has never finished about 20th place in EPA/play in D/ST. This year, the Chargers’ pass defense has cratered and they’re bottom three in EPA/play.
Staley’s defense will look to bounce back against the Ravens. Hopefully, the game goes well enough so the Chargers’ head coach gets his wish of the question not being asked. If not, the results could be disastrous.