Seattle Seahawks: 5 coaches to replace Pete Carroll with
By Jake Luppino
Joe Lombardi, Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator
The Los Angeles Chargers are one of the rare teams that have a defensive-minded coach. But, the key to success with that kind of team is a great offensive coordinator. After being fired by the Detroit Lions, Joe Lombardi — grandson of Vince Lombardi — found himself as the offensive coordinator for the Chargers.
If there is anything we have learned about the Chargers throughout this season, it’s that quarterback Justin Herbert is the real deal. He is going to have a lot of success in this league. Los Angeles has won the majority of their games with offense this year. One thing that has impressed me the most with Lombardi is his calm under pressure. As we have seen, the Chargers play with no fear. In many of their close games, we have seen them show no hesitancy to go for it on fourth down. As a coordinator, that is a tricky challenge as you always need to have your money plays ready when called upon.
Yes, Los Angeles has plenty of weaponry in Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Jared Cook. But, their offense is very versatile in its play-calling. They can beat you deep with Mike Williams. They can pick you apart in the short game with Keenan Allen. Most importantly, they know how to utilize their X-Factors in Austin Ekeler and Jared Cook. Offensively, Seattle can provide Lombardi with a lot of the same in Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf and hopefully Gerald Everett if he were to be retained in the offseason.
Who knows, if Lombardi were to come over to Seattle, maybe he would bring that aggressive ideology with him. We have seen Seattle become so conservative on 4th downs over the years and it has become increasingly frustrating, especially with a quarterback like Russell Wilson who has a history of delivering in the biggest of moments.