5 replacements for Mike McCoy with San Diego Chargers
By John Buhler
Kyle Shanahan
Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are starting to come to grips with the idea that they will be losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to a head coaching gig. In two years in Atlanta, Shanahan has made the Falcons offense the most explosive in the NFL. We’re looking at a historically dominant offensive juggernaut in Atlanta.
Atlanta is Shanahan’s fourth offensive coordinator gig (Houston, Washington, Cleveland, Atlanta). He is clearly ready for an opportunity to lead an NFL franchise, but is San Diego the right fit for him? Should the Chargers end up relocating to Los Angeles, that makes it all the more likely that Shanahan would consider the job.
Shanahan will get looks from several NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Rams. He could join either Los Angeles staff and be a good entry-point head coaching job for him. Frankly, the Chargers job will be a lot less stress-free than would be the Rams. It might be a better starting point for a first-year head coach. The Rams will want to make a splash hire, while the Chargers just want to make the right hire.
Shanahan would get a sure-thing at quarterback in Philip Rivers, a reliable pass catcher in Antonio Gates, a solid, young running back in Melvin Gordon, and several wideouts to salivate over. Honestly, Shanahan would take the Chargers job over the Rams job because he will have an infinitely easier time getting this offense back on track than a complete rebuild with the Rams.