The Los Angeles Chargers and head coach Anthony Lynn officially parted ways after four seasons. The Chargers made the announcement via social media (Twitter, Instagram) on the parting of ways with Lynn with an eye towards the future.
Statement from Dean Spanos pic.twitter.com/aR8z0OqnEG
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) January 4, 2021
The Chargers made the playoffs under Lynn only one time in four years. So that four-game winning streak the Chargers went on to close out the 2020 season was not enough to save Lynn his job as head coach. The 2020 NFL season was one that was troubling for the entire league to deal with considering wrestling with COVID-19 protocols and a rash of injuries to key players like safety Derwin James.
The catalyst for the Chargers firing Lynn be pointed to the New England game in which the Chargers lost 45-0 to the Patriots at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers regrouped after that embarrassing defeat to ride into the offseason winning their last four games of the season. One of the other issues surrounding the Chargers was getting agonizing close to victory in many games only to lose.
Outside of that debacle against New England, the Chargers were in every game they played. The nine losses the Chargers accumulated on the season were by 10 points or less. If there was a bright spot that could have influenced the Chargers to retain Lynn was the outstanding play of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert broke the NFL’s rookie record for most passes completed, most passing touchdowns, total scores, and the number of games with multiple touchdowns. In the end, it wasn’t enough to save Lynn. The Chargers are now moving in another direction.