Fans should have hope that quality NFL football will be back in 2023
By Ryan Heckman
With Joe Lombardi’s firing, the Los Angeles Chargers are one of a few teams that can look forward to quality football again in 2023.
The later we get into the NFL season and into the playoffs, the uglier it can be for some franchises.
After Black Monday, when it’s traditional for some teams to fire their head coaches, we see plenty of other firings take place across the league. Whether it’s general managers, coordinators or position coaches, the firings continue to come in as the days pass by.
Tuesday, the Los Angeles Chargers opted to fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after the team collapsed in the second half of Saturday’s Wildcard game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After leading 27-0, Lombardi’s offense went on to be outscored 31-3, being sent home after what looked to be a promising beginning to their playoffs.
With Lombardi’s firing, that makes for a whopping six offensive coordinator openings across the NFL.
Current offensive coordinator openings can give fans hope for quality offensive football once again in 2023
Looking at the current openings, we could be in for even more scoring in the coming regular season. Let’s take a quick gander at the possibilities.
Chargers: An incoming offensive coordinator inherits one of the best, young quarterbacks in the game today with Justin Herbert.
Commanders: One could argue this is a team that is a quarterback away from contending. Playmakers like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson, and Antonio Gibson are already in the fold.
Titans: Has anyone heard of a guy by the name of Derrick Henry?
Rams: Under Sean McVay and with a hopefully-healthy Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, this job could lead someone to a future head coaching gig.
Jets: An offense featuring a pair of would-be Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, with the latter coming back from injury in 2023.
Patriots: Let’s just say that anybody is going to be better than Matt Patricia when it comes to play-calling.
At first glance, you might not think all of these jobs are as attractive as they really are. With the right coaches in place, the above six offenses could soar to new heights in 2023, and fans would be as delighted as ever.