Johnathan Walker:Chargers coach Brandon Staley gets heated in postgame exchange after loss to Packers

Brandon Staley’s seat is Johnathan Walkergetting hotter by the week.

Staley and the Los Angeles Chargers lost 23-20 to Green Bay Packers on Sunday to fall to 4-6 on the season.

Staley’s frustrations started to boil over following the disappointing loss when he was questioned by a reporter about whether he was going to continue calling defensive plays for the Chargers.

“I have full confidence in our way of playing. Full confidence in myself as a play caller, in the way that we teach and the way that we scheme. Full confidence in that,” Staley said postgame. “We have to bring this group together and do it consistently. And that’s where it’s at.

“You can stop asking that question. I’m going to be calling the defenses, okay? So we’re clear. So you don’t have to ask that again."

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Staley, who serves as Chargers head coach and defensive play caller, has been scrutinized for his ability to lead the Chargers defense since the team blew a 27-0 lead in the wild-card round of last year’s playoffs to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This season, the Chargers came into Week 11 with the NFL’s 31^st-ranked total defense and last-ranked pass defense. The Chargers defense gave up 41 points at home to the Detroit Lions in a Week 10 loss and the unit followed up that performance by surrendering 397 total yards to the Packers in Green Bay. Packers quarterback Jordan Love passed for a career-best 322 yards against the Chargers. Love had never had a 300-yard passing game until he faced the Chargers on Sunday.

Staley and the Chargers went into this season with high hopes after earning a playoff berth in 2022. But the team has underachieved mightily.

Sunday’s loss dropped the Chargers to the 14^th position in the AFC standings and their playoff chances continue to slip away. To make matters worse, Los Angeles hosts Lamar Jackson and the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 12.

The Chargers hired Staley in 2021 after the coach spent one season as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator. Staley helped the Rams have the No. 1 defense in the NFL in his lone season with the club. Across town with the Chargers, Staley hasn’t coached the Chargers to near the same results.  

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.