The Chargers did their best impression of the Chargers this weekend, blowing a 27–0 lead to the 9–8 Jaguars, and the simple and obvious next move seems to be firing coach Brandon Staley and hiring Sean Payton. It makes sense for many reasons, but it’s far from simple because of two factors that help define life in America: money and race.
First, the reasons for the change. Last year, Staley was the darling of many open-minded football fans for his correct and fearless embrace of analytics. Now he is being pilloried for the Chargers’ second-half meltdown against Jacksonville and a series of decisions that led to it.