The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 3-9 after a 45-0 loss to the New England Patriots, but head coach Anthony Lynn is not on the hot seat. At least, not yet.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported there is no “imminent” head coaching move in store for the Chargers, and the team will evaluate at the end of the year.
Rapoport also noted the Chargers went 12-4 in 2018 as evidence of Lynn's coaching chops and a way of saying L.A. will look at the “full body of work” in the offseason.
Sources: As disappointing as the #Patriots loss was, no #Chargers head coaching change is imminent. The organization has a tremendous amount of respect for Anthony Lynn, always has, and would prefer to evaluate everything at the end of the year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2020
Anthony Lynn led the #Chargers to an AFC-best 12-4 record in 2018. The last two season, it hasn’t worked nearly as well. LAC plans to evaluate everything at the end of the year with the full body of work, rather than make an in-season decision. https://t.co/9LAYZzIZVK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2020
One of the reasons it “hasn't worked” for the Chargers is injuries.
Los Angeles' defense has been decimated in the past two years. Former All-Pro safety Derwin James has not played a single snap since 2018. Stars like Melvin Ingram, Chris Harris and Joey Bosa have all missed time this season. As a result, the Chargers have gone from eighth in defensive scoring in 2018 to 27th this year.
There is also the fact the Chargers could easily have at least a couple more wins under their belt this year. Los Angeles has multiple overtime losses and also blew pretty large first-half leads to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos. The Broncos' loss is particularly stinging, as Denver outscored L.A. 21-6 in the second half and won in part due to a pass interference call at the end of the game.
This is all to say luck has not necessarily been on Lynn's side. There are plenty of positives to weigh, such as the development of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. Although Herbert had a woeful performance against the Pats, he has had a terrific year and is entrenched as the franchise quarterback.
Perhaps the Chargers will decide Lynn is the right coach going forward, and that better health and stronger offseason moves will lead to more success going forward.
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