Brandon Staley needs to be fired for not taking Herbert out of the Chiefs game
Dear Brandon Staley, you’re stupid. Being over-aggressive is what ended your season last year, and it nearly ruined this year. Letting an injured Justin Herbert play in a game that you know you’re going to lose deserves to get you fired.
Following a 27-24 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night, Staley and the Chargers saw their season flash before their eyes. In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Herbert took a big hit in the backfield, crashing to the ground and grabbing his midsection. Herbert was down for a few minutes until being able to walk off on his own to the sideline.
Herbert sat out one play, which is mandatory in the NFL. After that, he returned to the field to attempt a comeback victory against the Chiefs. Question is, why the hell did Staley let him go back out?
Herbert was clearly in pain with every snap he took. One more hit could’ve been gruesome for the star quarterback. He couldn’t even finish what would’ve been an easy first down on this third-and-1 play.
Despite all that, Staley was just fine with him playing. Who needs a potential MVP quarterback, right? There’s no logical explanation of why Herbert was in that game. Down 10 with two minutes would be easy for Herbert when his ribs aren’t potentially in pieces. Put your backup in, take the loss, and let your franchise quarterback rest.
To make things even worse for himself, Staley had some dumbfounded comments after the game. Herbert was clearly showing signs of a rib/upper body injury right?
So, I guess Staley wasn’t even watching the game because it sure as hell isn’t “getting the wind knocked out.”
Shortly after that, Staley spoke with the media during a postgame press conference. The head coach was asked if he was worried about Herbert going forward. His response?
“No,” Staley said. “Because he’s Justin Herbert”
Staley at the 0:45 mark in the press conference
Indeed, he is Justin Herbert. But I don’t care if it’s Joe Montana, you do not let your starting quarterback play injured in the final minutes of the game. You are asking for a ruined season and screwing up your future. Idiot.
Herbert has that dawg in him, however. Right after that third-and-1 play when he pulled up, Herbert did this:
He then threw a touchdown to Joshua Palmer to make it a three-point game. He should’ve never been playing, but he went out and balled.
This shouldn’t distract us from the fact that Staley allowed him to even touch the field with his injury. This isn’t Week 18, it’s Week 2. Staley is beyond lucky Herbert didn’t suffer any more hits in that final drive, as the quarterback is already expecting to miss some time.
At this point, I don’t know how Brandon Staley can keep his job. It’s only his second year as head coach, and his decisions have been nothing but idiotic. I fully believe Staley will run this team into the ground, and Herbert will go ringless until Staley is out of L.A.
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