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Can Chargers' Brandon Staley deliver on bold promises?
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Can Chargers HC Brandon Staley deliver on bold promises despite hot-seat rumors?

Even though he's reportedly on the hot seat, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley raised expectations for his team this season.

"One of my big takeaways [from the offseason] was, we have everything we need here to go to where we want to go," Staley recently said, per Tyler Dragon of USA Today. "We haven't had that ultimate breakthrough everyone here wants and expects. A breakthrough for us is a Super Bowl championship. That's what we expect."

Per OddsChecker, the Chargers — one of 12 teams that's never won the Super Bowl — hold the 10th-best odds (+2500) of hoisting their first Lombardi Trophy.

L.A.'s talented roster includes stars on both sides of the ball. QB Justin Herbert threw for the second-most yards (4,739 in 17 games, behind Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes) in the league last season and should improve under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, while edge-rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack could form a fearsome pass-rushing duo if the tandem stays healthy.

Despite the talent, some believe the HC stifles the club's potential. In its last four matchups with divisional-rival Kansas City, Los Angeles lost each game by one possession, and it blew a 27-point lead in a 31-30 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round last season. Many believe the Bolts keep coming up short due to Staley.

"There was speculation that Staley might be in trouble, but he survived, though changes were made on his staff," wrote Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports. "The Chargers have a talented roster. They have not lived up to that talent for years. A bad season for the Chargers could lead to a change at head coach."

Staley must deliver on his promises this season. Otherwise, it wouldn't be surprising if he lost his job in the hope another HC can take the organization to the next level.

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