Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Brandon Staley is in his third season as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
If it was up to Chargers fans Thursday night, it would also be his last.
In their first game since starting quarterback Justin Herbert’s season-ending finger injury, Staley’s Chargers were blown out 42-0 in the first half by the Las Vegas Raiders.
That marked the largest first-half lead in Raiders history and first-half deficit in Chargers history, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and the Thursday Night Football broadcast.
As the Chargers headed toward their fifth loss in six games, some fans predicted the end of Staley’s time with the team.
Kris Rhim @krisrhim1
After losing to the the Ravens in Week 12, Chargers coach Brandon Staley said that the Chargers would be getting “blown out of the stadium” if his messaging had stopped coming across to players.
The Raiders lead 35-0 with 2:00 left in the second quarter.
Danny Heifetz @Danny_Heifetz
There were jokes that Brandon Staley would be fired at halftime because the Chargers gave up 21 points in the first quarter and then the Chargers gave up another 21 points in the second quarter
Ryan DePaul @RyanDePaul
How is everybody liking that Brandon Staley defense so far? Enjoying the action? If you’re new here, I promise it gets so much worse.
Remember, this is a 2 win team without Herbert.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Brandon Staley on the sideline pic.twitter.com/iP65H8WWqo
Annie Agar @AnnieAgar
the chargers team plane while brandon staley is still going through security pic.twitter.com/SJw1RhAbQF
𝙅𝙍 @JJR0004_
Brandon Staley trying to get into the Chargers facilities tomorrow pic.twitter.com/zrd7WhcaVS
GhettoGronk @TheGhettoGronk
Raiders’ offense all of last game: ZERO points
Raiders’ offense on 7 drives vs Brandon Staley’s defense: 5 TDs, 35 points pic.twitter.com/bM9YE4iy4G
The 89 total yards and zero points from the Chargers offense in the first half led some fans to miss Herbert.
Arjun Menon @arjunmenon100
In their first game without Justin Herbert, the team is already down 21-0 with 2 turnovers and the 1st quarter isn’t even over. In case anyone needs to understand how big the dropoff is when he’s not on the field
The Lightning Round Podcast @Lightning_Round
Everyone has been so focused on Justin Herbert not winning one score games. They missed the point. He was the only reason they were in those games. Now it’s on display for the world to see.
Ted Nguyen @FB_FilmAnalysis
This was Justin Herbert the whole time pic.twitter.com/E6mUxdK2ar
“It just wasn’t good enough. That wasn’t us out there,” Staley said during the halftime break on the Thursday Night Football broadcast. “Did not come ready to play. Second half, we’ve got to fight for pride.”
Chargers fans will have to wait and see if that second-half effort is enough to save Staley’s job.
