Rams have reportedly blocked offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from interviewing Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as the new head coach, but have failed to poach a different coach than their rival in town. Tuesday, Albert Breer from MMQB reported that the Rams had barred offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from interviewing for the same job with the Chargers. Breer reports that the Rams appreciate O’Connell and the job he did for them last year, and they don’t want to lose him. However, the lines of communication remain open, so things could change. But that’s where the Rams are now. Since it would have been a sideways move for O’Connell, Rams head coach Sean McVay should have approved it. However, he’s done it before, such as when he gave the Tennessee Titans the go-ahead to hire Matt LaFleur in 2018.

While O’Connell served as an offensive coordinator for two years with the Washington football team and the Rams, joining the Chargers would have been a bit of a promotion. Given that Staley is a defensive-minded head coach, O’Connell would likely have been calling him offensive play – a role he doesn’t have with the Rams – and would be in charge of quarterback development. sophomore back Justin Herbert.

O’Connell began his coaching career in 2015 as quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns, and also spent a year with the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive assistant before joining Washington in 2017. He has was passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, but Washington head coach Jay Gruden then promoted him to the offensive coordinator so he wouldn’t lose him to another NFL team. When Gruden was fired in Washington, O’Connell was also reportedly given some consideration for the head coach job.

As for the continued search for an offensive coordinator, current Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen could be selected. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that he remains a strong internal option. The Chargers have hired a defensive-minded head coach, but that doesn’t mean they’re ignoring offense.