Would the Chargers really fire Staley if they make the playoffs? Their remaining schedule (vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Rams, & at Broncos) suggests that they should make the playoffs compared to the Patriots schedule. Seems like they’d have to give those games away and play down to the level of those teams to go less than 3-1 or 4-0 during that stretch and 10-7 or 11-6 overall.
Assuming the Chargers make the playoffs and Cardinals keep Kingsbury 9 months after giving him an extension, it’s more than likely that there won’t be any openings for Payton to coach elsewhere. The Rams don’t have the assets to trade, plus McVay’s extension. Staley has to practically lay down and blow those games to lose his job.
Potential openings are heavily dependent on one coach walking away, another coach falling apart and those teams owners willing to just eat their coaches’ new extension money and give up first round draft picks while doing so.