NFL Rumors: Brandon Staley to Interview for Rams DC Job After Being Fired by Chargers

Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley may not be moving too far for his next job.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Los Angeles Rams will interview Staley on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator vacancy. He has reportedly met with the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers already.

Going to the Rams would be a reunion for the 41-year-old. After working as an outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos, L.A. hired him as its defensive coordinator in 2020.

The team allowed the fewest yards and points in the NFL that year, which Staley parlayed into the Chargers gig.

Rapoport called Staley one of the "top DCs available," a characterization some who watched him with the Chargers might push back on.

The team missed the playoffs in 2021. Reaching the postseason in 2022 was canceled out by suffering one of the biggest collapses in NFL history. Los Angeles was off to a 5-9 start this year before deciding to move on from Staley.

Beyond broadly falling short of expectations, the Chargers weren't a good defensive squad during his tenure, either. They never ranked higher than 20th in yards allowed or 21st in points.

One could counter the blame for that laid more at the feet of general manager Tom Telesco, whose big spending on the defense didn't exactly pan out.

Staley at least has an existing rapport with Rams head coach Sean McVay, and they've seen him help forge an elite defense. His previous work might be enough to put his candidacy over the top.