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Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Bears Hire Shane Waldron As OC

January 22nd, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears’ search for a new offensive coordinator is set to come to an end. Chicago is finalizing an agreement with Seahawks OC Shane Waldron, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Waldron was one of several staffers who interviewed for the position after Luke Getsy was fired. That move came as little surprise after Chicago failed to take a tangible step forward in the passing game this season. Improvement in that regard will be a top priority for Waldron, head coach Matt Eberflus and whichever quarterback the Bears make a commitment to for 2024 and beyond.

The Bears requested an interview with nine OC candidates, beginning with Waldron. The 44-year-old has served as Seattle’s play-caller for the past three seasons, and he drew praise for his work in the 2022 season in particular. Quarterback Geno Smith enjoyed a resurgent campaign that year, and he earned himself a new contract in the process. Smith and the Seahawks did not follow up as expected in 2023, however, ranking 17th in scoring and 21st in total offense en route to missing the postseason.

A step forward from those figures will be needed in the future to help Chicago return to postseason contention. The Bears showed signficant improvement on defense in the second half of the campaign, but they finished the season ranked just 27th in passing yards per game. That showing contrasts with the team’s second-place finish in rushing, and a better balance will need to be struck in either another year with Justin Fields at the helm or a rookie season for the top pick in April’s draft.

If the Bears do elect to move on from Fields and start over using the No. 1 selection, they will likely do so by adding Caleb Williams. For that reason, it was particularly notable when USC quarterbacks coach Kliff Kingsbury found himself on the Bears’ radar by receiving an interview request. Kingsbury and Williams worked together in 2023 with the Trojans, so adding them as a package deal this offseason would have come as little surprise. Williams may well find himself in Chicago soon, but it will be Waldron in charge of the offense if that happens.

The latter began his NFL coaching career in 2008 with the Patriots before spending time in the UFL and the college ranks. Waldron put himself on the coordinator radar during his four-year tenure with the Rams, which included three seasons as the team’s passing game coordinator. After a three-year run in Seattle, he will look to deliver more consistent results in Chicago.

As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes, the Bears attempted to speak with Chargers OC Kellen Moore for their vacancy, but they were blocked from doing so. Moore has spoken with Los Angeles about the team’s head coaching position, so it comes as little surprise an opportunity for a lateral move was denied. While Moore’s future remains in the air, Waldron’s is now clear as he prepares for a move to the Windy City.

Chargers Interview Dawn Aponte For GM Job

January 22nd, 2024 at 8:12pm CST by Ben Levine

While teams generally look at rival front offices for their GM candidates, the Chargers are currently considering someone from the league office. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chargers interviewed NFL chief football administrative officer Dawn Aponte for their general manager job.

Of course, Aponte does have plenty of experience in team front offices. She had a long stint with the Jets organization to begin her executive career, working her way up to senior director of football administration. After a subsequent three-year stint in the league office, she became the Browns vice president of football administration in 2009.

Following two years in Cleveland, Aponte was named the Dolphins senior vice president of football operations in 2010. She spent seven years in Miami, eventually earning a promotion to executive vice president of football administration. She was hired into her current role with the NFL in 2017, making her the highest-ranking woman in NFL football operations.

While this is Aponte’s first known interview for a GM job, this isn’t the first time she’s been connected to this type of gig. Earlier this offseason, she was mentioned as a potential candidate for the Commanders job, and she was also connected to the Giants job in 2022.

With Aponte earning an interview, the Chargers have now interviewed nine candidates for the job previously held by Tom Telesco:

Chargers To Conduct Second HC Interview With Jim Harbaugh

January 22nd, 2024 at 10:54am CST by Adam La Rose

Jim Harbaugh has been linked to the Chargers on a number of occasions, and signs continue to point him to Los Angeles. The parties will meet for a second interview this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

The longtime Michigan coach has appeared to be on the verge of an NFL return in each of the past three years. 2024 has seen him linked to a number of openings, but with the Raiders having promoted Antonio Pierce to their full-time gig, the Chargers remain a logical destination. A report from the weekend confirmed Los Angeles is in pole position to acquire Harbaugh.

The 60-year-old led the Wolverines to an undefeated season and a national championship this season. 2024 would thus mark a reasonable time for Harbaugh to return to the pro game, and he is believed to have serious interest in the Chargers’ posting. The outcome of the impending interview will thus be worth watching closely.

Harbaugh’s first 2024 interview took place with the Chargers, and meeting took place in person. It also spanned two days, a sign of the mutual interest which appears to exist between the parties. Harbaugh has been a top target for other teams as well, however, and he has spoken with the Falcons. Los Angeles may need to move quickly if the team is committed to Harbaugh as the top target.

Michigan is seeking to keep him in the fold, and talks on another contract extension are ongoing. Notably, though, Harbaugh is seeking (among other things) a delay in the time at which his latest extension kicks in. That would lengthen the window during which NFL suitors would be required to pay a smaller buyout fee to hire him, another sign that a pro contract could be forthcoming. Armed with signficant leverage on talks with any interested team, Harbaugh recently hired an agent to assist with negotiations.

With Harbaugh still firmly in the running to land the Chargers’ gig, here is an updated look at Los Angeles’ ongoing search:

Chargers Remain Frontrunner For Jim Harbaugh?

January 20th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jim Harbaugh continues to be connected to an NFL return amidst interest from multiple teams. As has been the case for quite some time, however, one in particular appears to be in pole position to land him.

The Chargers are still “the most likely destination” for Harbaugh should he elect to depart Michigan this offseason, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes (video link). Throughout a season which culminated in a national championship, the former 49ers HC has been mentioned as a name to watch once again with respect to a jump to the pro game. Los Angeles was the first team to interview him, arranging an in-person meeting which spanned two days.

The Chargers sent out feelers to gauge Harbaugh’s interest prior to that interview, and the team represents an attractive opening in many respects given the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert on a long-term deal. Harbaugh has also been linked to the Raiders’ vacancy (though that has since been filled), as well as that of the Falcons. Atlanta interviewed Harbaugh earlier this week, and a second sit-down is being arranged.

The Falcons have been increasingly connected to Bill Belichick, but the longtime Patriots coach is joined by Mike Vrabel in terms of being an experienced staffer who has received interest from Atlanta. The team could thus go in a number of directions other than Harbaugh pending the outcome of his second interview. The 60-year-old is among the most high-profile names in the 2024 hiring cycle in general and on the Chargers’ radar in particular.

Of course, Harbaugh also has the option of remaining in Ann Arbor for at least another year. After leading the Wolverines to an undefeated season, he has plenty of leverage to work out a new contract. Talks on that front are ongoing, and Harbaugh is reportedly seeking protection from a firing due to any potential NCAA sanctions against Michigan. He met with the Vikings two years ago and the Broncos last offseason, but signs continue to point to 2024 being the year in which he returns to an NFL sideline.

If that move does indeed happen, the Chargers will present a roster which has not met expectations. Shortcomings on defense in particular helped lead to Brandon Staley‘s dismissal, and general manager Tom Telesco was let go as well. The latter’s replacement has not yet been identified, and the relationship between the new GM and Harbaugh (should he wind up in L.A.) will no doubt be a signficant storyline to watch. For now, though, the Chargers can still be considered the frontrunners to finalize a deal with Harbaugh.

Chargers Interview Mike Vrabel; Falcons, Seahawks Showing Interest

January 18th, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another big name is on the Chargers’ HC interview docket. Following the Bolts’ Jim Harbaugh meeting, they have scheduled a summit with recently dismissed Titans leader Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel is in Los Angeles today for an in-person interview, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. This is Vrabel’s first known interview since his Tennessee exit. Not attached to a team presently, Vrabel is free to meet in-person with any team.

[RELATED: Head Coaching Search Tracker]

The Bolts, who have not hired a retread HC since they replaced Marty Schottenheimer with Norv Turner in 2007, have placed a priority on coaches who have been in the top spot before, Pelissero adds. Vrabel joins Harbaugh, Dan Quinn and Leslie Frazier as ex-NFL HCs on the Bolts’ radar. Chargers-Bill Belichick connections emerged early, but the former Patriots icon has only met with the Falcons thus far in his first time on a coaching carousel in 24 years.

As expected, multiple teams are interested in Vrabel for their HC gigs. The Falcons and Seahawks have Vrabel on their respective radars, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, though no meetings have been scheduled just yet. While coaches attached to a team presently must wait until the divisional round’s conclusion to meet in-person with clubs, Vrabel being fired last week exempts him from these newly imposed restrictions.

Clashes with Titans ownership played the lead role in Vrabel’s Tennessee demise, but after the AFC South team had been connected to seeking compensation in a trade, it was surprising to see him fired. The former Super Bowl-winning linebacker proved a natural HC fit early, guiding the Titans to four straight winning seasons without a top-tier quarterback in place. The team ventured to an AFC championship game for the first time in 17 years and won the AFC South over the next two years, earning the conference’s No. 1 seed in 2021. The past two seasons showed some cracks in the Titans’ armor, as a rebuild appears to loom. Despite back-to-back losing seasons, Vrabel is still 54-45 as an NFL HC.

Amy Adams Strunk expressed disappointment when Vrabel trekked to New England to be enshrined in the Patriots’ Hall of Fame in October, and the latter not being onboard with the Ran Carthon GM hire also rankled the second-generation owner. Vrabel, 48, is believed to have sought full roster control prior to the Carthon hire. The Titans refused, keying a downfall for the well-respected leader.

The Chargers are seeking both a head coach and GM, and considering the high-profile names on the radar, it would stand to reason the team will not stick its next sideline leader with an unapproved front office boss. It did not seem a Vrabel-Carthon conflict brought down his run with the Titans, but the former not viewing the latter as ready for the job certainly did not help matters. The Los Angeles job brings natural interest, with Justin Herbert by far the best quarterback tied to a team with a coaching vacancy. The Chargers have not seen their run of first-time hires post-Turner — Mike McCoy, Anthony Lynn, Brandon Staley — move the needle, though it will also be interesting how much control they are willing to give a more experienced head coach.

Seattle’s roster also invites intrigue, with Geno Smith still playing like an above-average quarterback and the team deploying one of the NFL’s better skill-position cadres. The Seahawks’ Pete Carroll-led defense has struggled for many years; the past two, in particular, have provided cause for concern. Vrabel did not spend extensive time calling defensive plays in Tennessee, but that is obviously his area of expertise.

The Falcons appear serious with Belichick, setting up a second interview, after Arthur Blank‘s run of first-time hires failing to deliver a Super Bowl win. Though the Falcons have been successful at points in the Blank era (under Quinn, Jim Mora Jr. and Mike Smith), Belichick obviously resides in a different genre as a coach. Vrabel spent eight seasons playing under Belichick, adding appeal, and is 23 years younger than his former mentor. Atlanta has a high-end offensive line, three top-10 skill-position draftees on rookie contracts and saw its defense improve in 2023. The matter of the quarterback remains an issue, however, separating that job from those in L.A. and Seattle.

Chargers Interview David Shaw For HC

January 18th, 2024 at 2:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers’ HC candidate list has expanded to 15 names. This now includes former Stanford coach David Shaw, who was in Los Angeles interviewing for the Bolts’ position Thursday.

Although Shaw has not coached in the NFL since 2005 and did not coach during the 2023 season, he spent 12 years as the Cardinal’s head coach. The Pac-12 program dismissed the successful HC following the 2022 campaign, but Shaw has still been on NFL radars. He interviewed with the Broncos last year.

NFL teams must interview two external minority candidates to comply with the Rooney Rule, but the Chargers had already done so by meeting with Leslie Frazier, Raiders DC Patrick Graham and 49ers DC Steve Wilks. Rams DC Raheem Morris is set to interview with the Bolts on Friday, while Lions DC Aaron Glenn received an interview request as well. Shaw is the sixth Black candidate to either meet with the Bolts or receive a slip.

Shaw, 51, is a San Diego native who coached in the NFL — with the Eagles, Raiders and Ravens — from 1997-2005. Shaw spent four seasons in Baltimore before becoming a Jim Harbaugh assistant at the University of San Diego and then Stanford. After Harbaugh left for the 49ers, Shaw took over in Palo Alto and went 96-54, coaching superstars Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey. Shaw’s pro-style offense has attracted NFL interest in the past.

Courtesy of PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, here is how the Chargers’ search looks as of Thursday afternoon:

Giants Request DC Interviews With Derrick Ansley, Anthony Campanile

January 15th, 2024 at 12:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Derrick Ansley‘s season in charge of the Chargers’ defense changed following Brandon Staley‘s late-season ouster, giving the veteran assistant some play-calling experience. Shortly after, he is drawing attention elsewhere.

The Giants requested permission to meet with Ansley about their DC job Monday, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Although Ansley secured the Bolts’ DC gig last year, this profiles as his first outside interview request for a coordinator role.

Ansley and Brian Daboll coached on the Alabama staff together in 2017. Ansley also coached Giants safety Xavier McKinney in college. Although McKinney is due for free agency, the Giants will discuss a second contract.

Ansley joins fellow Giants DC candidate as an incumbent coordinator in a likely transition. Following Mike Vrabel‘s firing, Titans DC Shane Bowen is also on the Giants’ radar. Like Bowen, it is unlikely Ansley will be asked back by his current team. The Giants are seeking a replacement for Don Martindale, whose two-year Giants tenure ended in explosive fashion last week. Considering the friction that developed between Daboll and Martindale, it would not surprise if the two-year Giants HC went with familiarity this time around. Ansley would supply that.

The Bolts promoted Ansley to replace two-year DC Renaldo Hill, who left to rejoin Vic Fangio in Miami during the 2023 coaching carousel. This left the team with two new coordinators, Ansley and Kellen Moore. While Moore received a chance to interview for Staley’s old job, the Chargers have not interviewed Ansley. The Chargers ranked 24th defensively but 17th against the pass last season. Under Ansley’s guidance, Derwin James bounced back from two major injuries to book Pro Bowl nods from 2021-22.

Prior to his ascent to the DC chair in Los Angeles, Ansley spent two seasons as the Chargers’ DBs coach. Ansley, 42, coached the Raiders’ DBs in 2018 but spent the 2019 and ’20 seasons as the Tennessee Volunteers’ DC. Also collecting multiple national championship rings while at Alabama — most notably as the Crimson Tide’s DBs coach from 2016-17, the latter season coming with Daboll in place as Nick Saban’s OC — Ansley has 15 years’ experience in the college ranks.

Additionally, Big Blue is hoping to meet with Dolphins linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Campanile has been Miami’s LBs coach since 2020, with Fangio keeping the Josh Boyer holdover on staff. Campanile’s previous work came exclusively at the college level.

Campanile, 41, spent the 2019 season on Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan staff, as linebackers coach, after rising to the role of co-defensive coordinator at Boston College in 2018. Campanile also coached defensive backs, tight ends and wide receivers as a college assistant, spending time at Rutgers before moving to Boston. Due to their Bills past, Daboll and Joe Schoen have a degree of familiarity with Campanile.

Campanile joins three others as Giants DC interview hopefuls. Here is how the Giants’ DC search is shaping up:

  • Derrick Ansley, defensive coordinator (Chargers): Interview requested
  • Shane Bowen, defensive coordinator (Titans): To interview
  • Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview requested
  • Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Ravens): To interview

Chargers To Meet With Jim Harbaugh

January 15th, 2024 at 8:30am CST by Ben Levine

JANUARY 15: Harbaugh’s Chargers interview will take place today, per multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that nothing is imminent for either side at this point, and the coaching cycle is still in its early phases. Unattached to an NFL staff, however, Harbaugh is free to join an interested team at any point. Given the close connections made between he and the Chargers already, the takeaways from today’s interview will be worth monitoring closely.

JANUARY 13: It sounds like Jim Harbaugh has lined up his first interview of the year. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “it’s believed” that Harbaugh will meet with the Chargers next week about their head coaching vacancy. Those sources also told Pelissero and Ian Rapoport that Harbaugh has “indicated to associates” that he could leave the University of Michigan for the NFL job in Los Angeles.

[RELATED: Chargers, Raiders “Pressing Hard” For Jim Harbaugh]

While NFL assistants need to wait until January 22 for in-person HC interviews, Harbaugh is allowed to interview right away. A number of NFL teams with head coaching vacancies have been connected to a potential Harbaugh pursuit, including the Chargers, Falcons, Raiders, and Commanders. However, it’s been rumors up until this point, and it sounds like the Chargers will have the first opportunity to steal Harbaugh away from Michigan.

On the same note, the school is apparently worried about Harbaugh’s potential exit. Pelissero and Rapoport pass along that Michigan has made an effort to sign Harbaugh to a lucrative extension. This offer would obviously come in the midst of intense NFL interest, but the two reporters also note that the extension would come “in light of other recent movement within college football.” Harbaugh previously inked a 10-year, $125MM deal that keeps him under contract in Michigan through 2026.

While the Chargers have requested interviews with 11 candidates to replace Brandon Staley, the organization was set to be “pressing hard” to hire Harbaugh. In fact, with the coach having recently hired agent Don Yee, it was believed that the Chargers already submitted preliminary offers to the coach’s camp.

The Chargers also have a GM opening after firing Tom Telesco, and it was opined that Harbaugh could require full personnel control at his next NFL stop. However, Pelissero and Rapoport note that Harbaugh isn’t expected to require suitors “to allow him to hire his own GM, understanding that the structure [in] NFL buildings has changed and evolved since he last worked in the league.” Still, if the Chargers do opt for Harbaugh, there’s a good chance they’d hire a GM who has familiarity with the 60-year-old coach.

Since parting ways with the 49ers after the 2014 campaign, Harbaugh has guided Michigan to an 86-25 overall record. This includes a 37-3 record over the past three years, culminating in a National Championship win on Monday night. Per Pelissero and Rapoport, Harbaugh has spent the past few days “decompressing and making a school-sponsored victory tour,” but that hasn’t stopped the coach from considering his NFL future. Per sources, Harbaugh has been updating staff lists and examining potential openings around the NFL.

Chargers Interview Mike Macdonald For HC Position

January 14th, 2024 at 10:54am CST by Rory Parks

Add the Chargers to the ever-growing list of teams interested in Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Los Angeles announced that it has conducted a head coaching interview with the popular DC.

As shown in our head coaching tracker, Macdonald has either been interviewed by, or is expected to be interviewed by, six of the eight teams that have had HC vacancies since the regular season ended. The only teams that have not expressed interest in Macdonald are the Raiders — who have yet to conduct any HC interviews, as they want to finalize their GM position first — and the Patriots, who simply promoted Jerod Mayo to their head coaching position following Bill Belichick‘s departure, pursuant to succession language in Mayo’s contract.

The intrigue surrounding Macdonald is easy enough to understand. The 36-year-old has served as Baltimore’s DC in each of the past two years, and the Ravens’ defense has thrived under his watch. The club finished sixth in total defense in 2023 after finishing 10th in that category in 2022; first in scoring defense in 2023 (third in 2022); first in takeaways in 2023 (10th in 2022); and first in defensive DVOA in 2023 (eighth in 2022). Baltimore also led the league in sacks this season despite not having a premier edge rusher on the roster.

Furthermore, young players like Kyle Hamilton and Justin Madubuike have become stars in Macdonald’s system, while veteran also-rans like Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, and Arthur Maulet have rejuvenated their careers. And while Macdonald is not the young offensive mind that clubs have sought out in recent seasons, the success of DeMeco Ryans in Houston this year has proven that a young, defensive-minded coach works just as well if that person is a strong leader.

Of course, not all job opportunities are created equal, and candidates like Macdonald who may have multiple options could shy away from a team like the Panthers, who have ownership and quarterback concerns. On the other hand, the Chargers’ opening is generally considered one of the most appealing, thanks largely to the presence of QB Justin Herbert. Indeed, current University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, long linked to the Los Angeles gig, has reportedly told his associates that he might leave Ann Arbor for the Chargers.

One factor working against Macdonald’s candidacy for the Chargers’ post is the fact that he would be a first-time HC. The last three head coaches hired by the San Diego/Los Angeles franchise have been first-timers, the latest of whom (Brandon Staley) also had a defensive background. While it is not surprising that owner Dean Spanos wanted to sit down with Macdonald, it would also not be surprising to see Spanos opt for a more experienced, offensive-minded candidate.

Interestingly, Los Angeles has also interviewed Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and has requsted a GM interview with Baltimore’s director of player personnel, Joe Hortiz.

Chargers Conduct GM Interview With Ravens’ Joe Hortiz

January 13th, 2024 at 6:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers continue to cast a wide net in their ongoing general manager search. The team announced on Saturday that an interview with Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz was completed.

Hortiz has worked his way through the ranks in Baltimore’s front office since joining the franchise in 1998. Beginning in the scouting department, he became the team’s director of college scouting and enjoyed considerable success in the role. Hortiz held that position for 10 years before being promoted once again in 2019. He has overseen both pro and college scouting ever since.

Today’s meeting with the Chargers represents the first known interest shown in Hortiz this year, but he is not a new candidate with respect to GM connections from outside teams. He interviewed with the Cardinals for their general manager vacancy last offseason, and previews of the 2024 hiring cycle listed him as a name to watch. Given the strength of the Ravens’ homegrown core of players, along with the team’s success in finding short-term additions in free agency this year in particular, it would come as little surprise if Hortiz were to take a GM position elsewhere in the near future.

Colleague Nick Matteo has landed on the GM radar this year, having received an interview request from the Panthers. Losing one or both of he and Hortiz would deal a blow to the front office of the Ravens, a team which also has numerous coaches in line for potential moves elsewhere during the 2024 cycle. Hortiz in particular has established himself as a critical member of the franchise over the course of his lengthy tenure, but that experience would of course lead to significant expectations upon arrival with a team prepared to hire him.

The Chargers have been without Tom Telesco at the helm since he was dismissed alongside Brandon Staley midway through the season. The team thus has a vacancy at the former position for the first time since 2013. As is the case for the team’s coaching search, the presence of quarterback Justin Herbert on a long-term deal will likely make the Los Angeles posting an attractive one, but the roster does include a number of veterans on pricey contracts. Plenty of work will need to be done over the short and long term for the new GM to sustainably set the team up for postseason contention during Herbert’s prime.

Here is an updated look at the Chargers’ GM search:

 

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