The San Diego Chargers are an abysmal 4-11 this year, tied for the third-worst record in the league and in line for a top-five pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. That said, it's absurd to blame head coach Mike McCoy for this disaster, and he's certainly not deserving of being fired. In the end, though, that may not matter, as new rumors have began swirling that a big-name coach could be next in line in San Diego: Sean Payton.
That's right, the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl-winning head coach could be out there door, and the latest buzz says that he's had private talks with the Chargers' front office.
1 potential landing spot for #Saints coach Sean Payton, if there is, in fact, an opening: The #Chargers. Payton has discussed this privately
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2015
On the surface, it's crazy to think that Payton could be let go after everything he's done in New Orleans. But since BountyGate and his season-long suspension, the Saints have struggled mightily, making the playoffs only once in the last four years.
Perhaps Saints management is thinking a change would be a good thing, even though I'd like to believe Drew Brees and many of the Saints faithful would disagree. Nevertheless, this has become a real possibility.
The sad part of all this is that the Chargers seem to be going behind McCoy's back in these dealings. And as far as their dismal season has gone, he's one of the last people you have to blame.
San Diego has been bitten by one of the greatest injuries bugs I've ever seen. All season long, two or three starting offensive linemen have been injured -- and the line wasn't even that great to begin with. Antonio Gates started the year hurt, and remained banged up when he eventually returned. Wideout Keenan Allen was having a great season and somewhat keeping the team alive by providing star quarterback Philip Rivers with a reliable target, but then he suffered a lacerate kidney that cut his campaign short. The defense hasn't been damaged too much injury-wise, but it's not the most talented group in the league.
Originally, this team was supposed to be competitive and in the playoff hunt. A good overall roster talent-wise, they were never expected to be Super Bowl contenders, but still.
To blame McCoy or think a head-coaching change is the answer to their issues is a bit short-sighted.
Then again, it's not everyday that you can bring in a coach like Sean Payton. If that's what ends up happening, you have to feel for McCoy.
But he'll land on his feet somewhere. If not with another team as a head coach, as a handful of coaches could lose their job on Black Monday, then definitely as an offensive coordinator again.
It won't be fair if he loses his job. But this is the NFL, and it's a business. And whoever's at the top gets to make all the decisions. In the next week or two, we'll see if this comes to fruition.
