Chargers Daily Links: How do you grade the hiring of Brandon Staley?

The Chargers surprised just about everyone when they announced that they had come to terms with former Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as their new head coach. After all, Staley just finished his first and only season as a coordinator in the NFL, but when you look at everything he accomplished in 2020, it’s tough not to believe he 100 percent deserved it.

Prior to the season, many outlets predicted the Rams to finish at .500 or below. The defense was going to have plenty of new and young faces, but that didn’t stop Staley from turning them into the league’s best unit. At the end of the regular season, they ranked first in points allowed, yards allowed, pass defense, and also finished third in rushing defense. That’s a hell of a resume to put together in such a short amount of time.

We’ll dive much more into Staley as the week goes on, but I wanted to gauge everyone’s interest as of right now. What letter grade do you give the Chargers’ hire? If you feel compelled, go ahead and tell us why you gave the grade you did in the comment below.

Now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

The Chargers agree to terms with former Rams DC Brandon Staley to be their new head coach (Chargers.com)

Chargers players react to the hiring of Brandon Staley (Chargers.com)

What grade do you give the Chargers for the Staley hire? (Chargers Wire)

Jason Reed wonders if Brandon Staley was a good coaching hire (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:

Kevin Seifert and Dan Graziano preview this weekend’s conference championship games (ESPN)

Drew Brees is pondering retirement once again (ESPN)

Why the Texans should trade Deshaun Watson (CBS Sports)

The Browns have created a “new standard” in Cleveland (NFL.com)

Bucs DC Todd Bowles interviewed for the Eagles HC job (Pro Football Talk)

Divisional round winners and losers (Bleacher Report)