Don’t let Brandon Staley manage your finances. Your biggest investment might be spent on the wrong side of a live bet.
The Los Angeles Chargers head coach was on hand last night for his team’s 27-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Down a score with five minutes remaining, superstar quarterback Justin Herbert took a shot that left him grounded. It was clear he was not just uncomfortable, but writhing in pain.
Staley had a choice to make. Keep his star in and risk further injury, or hope for a miracle from backup quarterback Chase Daniel?
Perhaps in an attempt to make up for his fourth-down cowardice, he chose wrong.
Herbert remained in the game, enduring even more hits over the next couple of plays. Los Angeles would punt. Kansas City drove down the field and with 3:24 remaining, made it a 10-point game.
For some god-forsaken reason, Herbert trotted out there. With their win probability in the tank, Herbert pulled off a touchdown drive that will forever be a part of his career highlight tape. An unsuccessful onside kick would end the Chargers’ night.
What the heck are we doing here?
Included on that final Los Angeles drive was an opportunity for Herbert to walk his way to a first down after rolling to his right. Instead, on third down, he threw the ball away. He was immobilized, a sitting duck for an aggressive Chiefs defense.
Sure, he completed an improbable pass over the middle on the next play. But none of it mattered a mere five minutes later.
My question is a simple one. Why would you risk the most important asset in Chargers history for a measly Week 2 win?
The Chargers are set to play for a division title with Herbert under center, and falling to 1-1 hurts their chances. Losing Herbert for an extended period of time ends their season.
Herbert was lucky to escape Thursday night with just a fracture to his rib cartilage. It could have been much, much worse. There is no way around it: Staley endangered his franchise quarterback.
I still can’t wrap my head around the decision to let him play down 10 with three minutes left. Absolutely inexcusable behavior.
Should we bet on the Chargers?
Not anytime soon.
Regardless of my newfound grudge for Chargers management, I’d be hesitant to lay cash on Los Angeles. We don’t know what Herbert is going to look like without the PED known as adrenaline.
Currently, DraftKings has them listed as nine-point favorites over the Jacksonville Jaguars. If the line changes to reflect Herbert’s ailments, there’s a discussion to be had. Securing a two-possession victory with a potential question mark at quarterback is a lot to chew.
You may have trouble finding lines on Chargers futures given the new circumstances. Take this opportunity to take Kansas City to win the division at +115.