Source: Chargers leaning toward retaining Staley

The Los Angeles Chargers are strongly considering keeping head coach Brandon Staley, a source told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.

Staley, 40, is expected to meet with ownership in the near future, according to Schultz. He's currently earning close to $4 million per season.

The Chargers continue to have ongoing internal discussions about the matter.

If Staley does return for the 2023 season, there's a possibility that he'll need to make significant changes to his staff, per Schultz.

L.A. concluded its season by squandering a 27-0 lead in a devastating wild-card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars capped the epic comeback with a game-winning field goal to defeat the Chargers 31-30.

It marked the second consecutive season in which L.A.'s campaign has ended in disappointment. The franchise dropped three of its final four contests in 2021, including a must-win game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the regular-season finale.

Staley also came under fire for leaving his starters in a meaningless game against the Denver Broncos in Week 18. As a result, wideout Mike Williams suffered a season-ending back injury.

Staley has posted a 19-16 record, including Saturday's playoff loss, in his two seasons at the helm. He led the Chargers to their first postseason berth since 2018 despite dealing with several injuries to key players throughout the campaign.

Several players have come to Staley's defense, including quarterback Justin Herbert.

"Everyone would be lucky to have a coach like Staley," Herbert said, per The Associated Press' Joe Reedy. "He's been an incredible leader and has the respect of everyone on our team. He's genuine, he's himself, and (he's) been the same person for the past two years."

Star pass-rusher Joey Bosa, who appeared frustrated late in Saturday's loss, noted that expecting a young coaching staff to know everything immediately is "kind of silly."

Staley previously served as the defensive coordinator at James Madison University. He also spent time as an outside linebackers coach for both the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears before joining the Los Angeles Rams as their DC in 2020.