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Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Chargers Ask To Interview Pats’ Matt Patricia

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers have requested permission to interview Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Patricia is the first known target of the Bolts in their coaching search. Matt Patricia

Patricia has also been linked to the Rams’ head coaching vacancy and he’s a popular name this offseason, even if he’s not as hyped up as colleague Josh McDaniels. The Chargers just fired an offensive-minded head coach in Mike McCoy, so Patricia could offer a change in philosophy. The Pats finished the regular season with the fewest points allowed of any team in the league. Meanwhile, the Bolts allowed 423 points, the fourth-highest in the NFL.

The Chargers are one of six teams now in search of a new head coach.

2017 NFL Draft Order

January 2nd, 2017 at 8:04am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns almost blew it yesterday. In the regular season finale, the Browns took the Steelers to overtime before ultimately losing 27-24. Had they won, the Browns would have been picking at No. 2 instead of the top position. Meanwhile, the Jaguars nearly slipped to No. 5, but they held their ground in the draft order when they lost 24-20 to the Colts. Phew.

The playoffs will help determine the bottom 12 picks, but the draft order has now been set for most of the NFL. Here is the list, with ties being broken by strength of schedule:

1. Browns (1-15)

2. 49ers (2-14)

3. Bears (3-13)

4. Jaguars (3-13)

5. Titans (via the 4-12 Rams)

6. Jets (5-11)

7. Chargers (5-11)

8. Panthers (6-10)

9. Bengals (6-9-1)

10. Bills (7-9)

11. Saints (7-9)

12. Browns (via the 7-9 Eagles)

13. Cardinals (7-8-1)

T-14. Eagles (via the 8-8 Minnesota Vikings)

T-14. Colts (8-8) (Note: The Vikings and Colts have identical records and the same strength of schedule. The tie will be broke by coin flip with the winner getting pick No. 14 and the other team getting the No. 15 pick.)

16. Ravens (8-8)

17. Redskins (8-7-1)

18. Titans (9-7)

19. Buccaneers (9-7)

20. Broncos (9-7)

Chargers Fire Mike McCoy

January 1st, 2017 at 7:44pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

As expected, the Chargers have announced the dismissal of head coach Mike McCoy, whose job status was in serious jeopardy earlier Sunday. Chargers president of football operations John Spanos issued in a statement in the wake of McCoy’s firing.

“Mike McCoy is a man of high character, and we thank him for his dedication to the Chargers,” said Spanos. “The decision to dismiss Mike was made in the best interests of our franchise. Our team’s disappointing performance has not matched this team’s potential and has fallen short of the demanding standards that we seek to impose throughout our organization. Our comprehensive search for a new head coach begins immediately.”

Mike McCoy

The Chargers lost the final game of the McCoy era, 37-27, to the AFC West rival Chiefs in Week 17. That ensured San Diego a 5-11 finish – only a slight improvement over its 4-12 showing in 2015 – and gave McCoy a 27-37 record in four seasons as the club’s head coach.

Before the Chargers’ downward spiral over the past couple years, the McCoy-led team racked up a pair of nine-win seasons and made a playoff trip in 2013. Part of the problem this season was the fact that the Chargers lost 21 players to injured reserve, but that wasn’t enough to save McCoy’s position with the franchise. It certainly didn’t help that the Chargers suffered an ignominious loss in Week 16 to the Browns, who finished the year 1-15.

With Los Angeles relocation likely for the Chargers, they’re reportedly willing to expend resources in their search for a head coach. The Bolts will have plenty of competition from around the league – they’re now the fifth team with a vacancy, and a sixth could join the fray if the 49ers dismiss Chip Kelly.

Latest On Chargers, Mike McCoy

January 1st, 2017 at 4:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chargers may not have made an official decision on the fate of head coach Mike McCoy, but it would be an “upset” if McCoy is retained for 2017, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds that general manager Tom Telesco will keep his job, but team ownership will meet Monday to determine if McCoy will stick around. Meanwhile, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link) that while Telesco has recommended that McCoy be retained, San Diego is prepared to make a change.Mike McCoy

[RELATED: Antonio Gates Leaning Towards Return]

This isn’t the first time that disparate reports have surfaced regarding McCoy’s status, which could indicate that the Chargers are truly wrestling with a decision on their head coach. Just last week, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated that because the Chargers are likely to relocate to Los Angeles — and thus, compete with the Rams in a major media market — the club would like to begin its head coaching search as soon as possible.

McCoy has led the Chargers to a 5-10 record this season, and last week lost to the previously winless Browns. During his San Diego run, McCoy has posted a career mark of 27-36, and recently confirmed that the club has not offered him an extension (he’s currently signed only through 2016).

Chargers' IR Total Hits 20

December 31st, 2016 at 5:35pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • It appears the Chargers are going to finish with an even 20 players on IR this season after the team placed cornerback Craig Mager on the season-ending list, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (on Twitter). Inside linebacker Carlos Fields received a promotion from the practice squad as a result.

Antonio Gates Leaning Towards Return

December 28th, 2016 at 3:26pm CST by Zachary Links

This may be the end of the line for Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith and Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware, but Antonio Gates feels that he still has lots of football left in him. The veteran says that he is “definitely leaning toward coming back,” Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. Antonio Gates

[RELATED: Chargers Move Kenneth Farrow To IR]

“This is not the way I expected to be done. I’m definitely leaning toward coming back,” Gates said in a likely reference to the Chargers’ 5-10 record heading into the season finale.

In 13 games this year, Gates has 48 catches for 493 yards and six touchdowns. Even though he’ll turn 37 in June, it seems like Gates can still be a highly productive tight end. Hunter Henry may be next in line at the position, but the Bolts surely want to keep Gates around for as long as possible. He is under contract for 2017 with a base salary of $4.5MM.

Gates and the Chargers will wrap up the season against the Chiefs on Jan. 1. As of this writing, the Chargers are slated to have the No. 7 overall pick in the draft.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/27/16

December 27th, 2016 at 7:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A rundown of Tuesday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Promoted from practice squad: WR Jake Kumerow, LB Trevor Roach

Jacksonville Jaguars

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

San Diego Chargers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Chargers Move Kenneth Farrow To IR

December 26th, 2016 at 3:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Week 17 backfield for the Chargers will look somewhat strange, but that’s become the norm in San Diego this season. Kenneth Farrow‘s season will end on IR due to a shoulder injury, Eric Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Farrow injured the shoulder in the Chargers’ loss to the Browns but returned to the game. His rookie season concludes with 192 rushing yards on 60 carries. A UDFA out of Houston, Farrow saw action thanks to numerous injuries to San Diego ball-carriers. Melvin Gordon‘s status has yet to be determined, but it would be surprising if the Bolts sent their starter back out there in a meaningless game against the Chiefs.

This makes three backs on San Diego’s IR, with Farrow joining Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead. Dexter McCluster also sustained a non-football injury and is out for the season. Coupled with Gordon’s status, Farrow’s unavailability will leave Ronnie Hillman as the top able back for the Chargers, who are going to finish with back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2000-01. Andre Williams remains on the practice squad, so that is a move the Bolts could make to supplement Hillman if they hold out Gordon this weekend.

Farrow will look to secure a backup job next season. Woodhead is a looming UFA, Oliver will be an RFA, and Hillman will venture back into free agency as well, clouding the Bolts’ backfield behind Gordon going forward.

 

2017 NFL Draft Order Through Week 16

December 26th, 2016 at 10:53am CST by Zachary Links

This weekend, the Browns got the best of both worlds when they won their first game of the 2016 season while the 49ers also found their way to victory. Now, the 1-14 Browns remain in the top spot as we head into the final week of the NFL season.

Here’s where we stand through Week 16. (Note: Ties are broken by strength of schedule):

  1. Browns 1-14
  2. 49ers 2-13
  3. Bears 3-12
  4. Jaguars 3-12
  5. Rams (pick belongs to Titans) 4-11
  6. Jets 4-11
  7. Chargers 5-10
  8. Bengals 5-9-1
  9. Panthers 6-9
  10. Eagles (pick belongs to Browns) 6-9
  11. Cardinals 6-8-1
  12. Bills 7-8
  13. Colts 7-8
  14. Vikings (pick belongs to Eagles) 7-8
  15. Saints 7-8
  16. Titans 8-7
  17. Ravens 8-7
  18. Buccaneers 8-7
  19. Broncos 8-7
  20. Redskins 8-6-1

Chargers Likely To Begin Coaching Search Soon

December 25th, 2016 at 3:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although the Chargers have not yet formally relieved head coach Mike McCoy of his duties, the club is fully expected to do so and will commence its search for a new coach in the near future, sources tell Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.Mike McCoy

[RELATED: Latest On Chargers’ Relocation]

Given that the Chargers are likely to relocate to Los Angeles, the team is now willing to expend resources in order to revamp its coaching search as it competes for talent with the Rams, who recently fired their head coach in Jeff Fisher. The Rams have already been linked to a number of candidates, including Jon Gruden, New Orleans head coach Sean Payton, and Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, although Gruden has maintained that he is not interested in returning to coaching at this time.

McCoy, meanwhile, has led the Chargers to a 5-10 record this season, and yesterday lost to the previously winless Browns. During his San Diego run, McCoy has posted a career mark of 27-36, and recently confirmed that the club has not offered him an extension (he’s currently signed only through 2016). For what it’s worth, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe indicated this morning that McCoy was unlikely to be fired after the season.

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