Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley joins an NFC team with intriguing ties to the bolts

There was some notable NFL news with ties to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. One of their recent head coaches has gotten a new opportunity elsewhere.  Brandon Staley joins Saints According to Ian Rapoport, the Saints are hiring Brandon Staley as their new defensive coordinator. This move comes shortly after hiring Kellen Moore as […]

Adam Holt NFL News Writer
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There was some notable NFL news with ties to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday. One of their recent head coaches has gotten a new opportunity elsewhere. 

Brandon Staley joins Saints

According to Ian Rapoport, the Saints are hiring Brandon Staley as their new defensive coordinator. This move comes shortly after hiring Kellen Moore as their new head coach.

Staley and Moore share a unique connection with the Chargers. Both coached together for LA in 2023. That was Moore's only season with the Chargers, and it was Staley's final season with the team. Staley was fired after a 5-9 start to the season. 

Now, the former Bolts HC is back with his offensive mind from a couple of years ago in New Orleans. 

Staley's tenure with the Chargers had plenty of ups and downs. When the hire was made, plenty of fans of the team and analysts around the NFL applauded the pick. He was the young, intriguing name for a defensive HC hire during that cycle.

Ultimately, Los Angeles did not win a playoff game under Staley in 2+ years with the squad. Their lone playoff appearance was their debacle against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where they blew a massive second half lead. 

Overall, much of the sentiment towards Staley is not positive when it comes to fans of the Chargers. His defenses, while talented din some areas, did not show consistency. Not to mention, the defensive drafting with Staley at the helm had some clear misses. 

We will see how this move works out for the Saints. Regardless, Moore's relationship with Staley in LA certainly played a part in this decision by New Orleans.