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Official scapegoats have been identified for the Chargers’ playoff defeat.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and passing-game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Day have been fired by the Chargers, the team announced Tuesday morning, three days after Los Angeles blew a 27-0 lead against the Jaguars in the AFC wild-card round, losing 31-30 on a Jacksonville field goal as time expired. This was the third-largest comeback in NFL playoff history.
Lombardi, the 51-year-old grandson of Vince Lombardi, coached for two seasons with the Chargers, who managed only a field goal in the second half at Jacksonville as the Jaguars rallied for an improbable victory, setting up a Saturday meeting against the top-seeded Chiefs. Between his two stints as a quarterbacks coach for the Saints, Lombardi was the offensive coordinator for the Lions from 2014 to 2015.
During the 2022 regular season, the Chargers averaged 359.3 yards per game, which ranked ninth in the NFL, and 23 points per game, which ranked thirteenth.
Due to quarterback Justin Herbert, who just completed his third season at the age of 24 and threw for 4,776 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, Los Angeles will likely have coaches vying for the open offensive coordinator position. However, the position will not be without pressure, as Brandon Staley will be expected to make progress in his third year as the team’s head coach following the loss to the Jaguars.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) walks off the field following a wild-card loss to the Jaguars on Jan. 14, 2023.
AP
The divisional round bracket for the 2023 NFL Playoffs.
New York Times illustration
Day, 48, also remained in Los Angeles for two seasons. After two years coaching the 49ers quarterbacks, he joined the team in 2021.