The Chargers opened the 2023 common season in a thrilling recreation in Los Angeles in opposition to the Miami Dolphins, the place they got here up brief, 36-34. Austin Ekeler did his half for the Chargers, speeding for 117 yards, a landing, and including 4 receptions for an additional 47 yards. Finally, this wasn’t sufficient, and the Chargers fell to the Dolphins in a back-and-forth recreation. Following the loss, Ekeler spoke in regards to the staff’s inconsistency on the sector, and launched a dart within the route of the teaching employees that would find yourself being a dagger to Brandon Staley.
“For us, when we’ve got our guys which are getting damage which are being constant for us, proper, that performs an element into it,” Ekeler stated. “And we’ve had accidents over the previous years, and you’ll’t blame all the pieces on accidents. Our teaching hasn’t all the time been one of the best. Our play hasn’t all the time been one of the best. And when you will have a mixture of these, then guess what? You’re going to be inconsistent.”
Accountability is all the time refreshing. However when a participant throws teaching underneath the bus, particularly on a employees the place the pinnacle coach is already on the recent seat, that grabs individuals’s consideration. Ekeler additionally referred to as out the gamers, however that isn’t unusual. Staley and his employees have already got their ft to the hearth after that playoff loss to Jacksonville, the place they squandered a 27-point lead. When a star participant publicly exhibits a insecurity in his coach, the tip is probably going close to.
This SoCal squad lastly appeared like they’d turned a nook final season. Then, that wildcard recreation in opposition to the Jaguars occurred. All doubt that had quietly sunk into the background surrounding Staley rapidly resurfaced, and Week 1 didn’t assist simmer any of that speak. The Chargers should make it again to the postseason whether or not they win the AFC West or obtain one other wildcard berth. Nonetheless, they need to go one step additional this time, advancing to the divisional spherical. Something lower than that, Staley will probably be coordinating someone else’s protection in 2024.