Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was fired Friday. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera will be let go upon the conclusion of the 2023 season.
So, which job is better between the Commanders and Chargers?
Well, the Chargers certainly have a much better stadium. But I might add some credit does need to go to the Josh Harris group here. The previous owner had permitted FedEx to become the worst stadium in the NFL. Harris has already poured millions into the stadium, and there will be more.
The Commanders have a much better cap situation in 2024. The Chargers will have an estimated $45 million available. But the Commanders? How about $88 million?
The Chargers, no doubt, also have the better climate. Average temperatures for November in Washington are 59/37, and in December, 48/30. By contrast, the average temperatures in Los Angeles are 73/53 and 68/49.
How about the 2024 NFL draft? Currently, the Chargers are in the 5th position at 5-9, while Washington is 4th at 4-9. The Chargers in the top three rounds currently have choices 5, 37 and 69. Of course, following the season, if the new team leadership wants to trade for more choices, they certainly can.
Washington has already made two trades; consequently, in the first three rounds, the Commanders currently have choices 4, 36, 41, 68 and 100. Certainly, a new coach would rather have the Commanders draft choices.
Having said all of this, what might it come down to in determining which job is more attractive between the Chargers and Commanders? Might it be as simple as one thing? Might it be the team’s quarterback?
Sam Howell is in his first full season of playing and it has certainly, many times, been a roller coaster ride. At times, Howell makes wonderful plays, then there are times he freezes, holds the ball, and accumulates quarterback sacks.
Justin Herbert was passed over by Washington in the 2020 draft, mostly because the previous owner had played GM and drafted the quarterback he wanted in 2019. He turned out to be not ready for the NFL.
Herbert has started all four seasons. In his rookie season, he passed for 4,336 yards and was voted the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. His second season was even better, passing for 5,014 yards (38 touchdowns/15 interceptions).
Howell leads the NFL in interceptions (14), sacks (58) and pick-sixes (4). Herbert is injured and out for the remainder of the season. But these three numbers alone of Howell are enough to conclude Herbert is better.
What’s more, quarterback weighs so much in the equation, Herbert probably makes the Chargers opening the better opportunity of the two. Coaches will no doubt be lining up first, hoping to coach Herbert.
But yes, of the other jobs that may be available, Carolina, New England, Chicago and Las Vegas, the Josh Harris ownership group, the salary cap, the draft choices all make the Commanders the second most attractive opportunity this offseasonundefined.