Herbert says Chargers 'believe' in Staley despite playoff collapse

Quarterback Justin Herbert showed support for head coach Brandon Staley despite the Los Angeles Chargers' epic collapse in Saturday's wild-card game.

"We believe in coach Staley. We believe in the front office," Herbert said Sunday, according to Bridget Condon of NFL Network.

He added, "Everyone would be lucky to have a coach like Staley."

The Chargers blew a 27-point lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who advanced to the divisional round with a 31-30 victory. It's the third-largest comeback in NFL postseason history.

Staley faced heavy criticism after L.A. became the first team to ever lose a playoff game with a five-plus turnover margin. But running back Austin Ekeler backed the 40-year-old coach Sunday.

"I would be shocked (if Staley was fired). ... You're looking for someone who's going to give you a chance and this guy's given you a chance," Ekeler said.

Pro Bowl safety Derwin James, one of the Chargers' captains this season along with Ekeler, also wants the club to keep Staley.

"That's my guy. He's put a lot into it," James said. "A lot of guys believe in him in the locker room. I definitely believe in him."

Los Angeles entered 2022 with high expectations after adding multiple high-profile players to an already solid roster, including edge rusher Khalil Mack and cornerback J.C. Jackson. The Chargers - who dealt with a slew of injuries all year - finished the campaign with only the 13th-ranked offense and 21st-ranked defense en route to a 10-7 regular-season record before falling short in the playoffs.

Staley, who didn't make the playoffs in his first campaign, is 19-15 during the regular season in two years as the team's head coach.

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