The Los Angeles Chargers became the latest team to first its head coach on Black Monday as Anthony Lynn was canned despite the fact the Bolts ended their season on a four-game winning streak and appear to have a very bright future under quarterback Justin Herbert, the likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Multiple reports are that there's one clear favorite to replace Lynn and that it's Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. However, the Chargers might have to win a tug of war over Daboll's services with the New York Jets.
Daboll and Chargers general manager Tom Telesco went to the same Buffalo-area high school (Saint Francis) together, so there's that tie. The two also have the same agent, Bob Lamonte. The Jets fired Adam Gase on Sunday so they had a mini-head start on the Chargers and already have put in a request to interview Daboll. By rule, Daboll can't interview until after the Bills' Wild-Card game Saturday. Buffalo is -7 on the William Hill Sportsbook NFL odds vs. the visiting Colts.
Last offseason, Daboll interviewed for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job that eventually went to Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski. Daboll only improved his resume this season with the Bills ranking second in the NFL in scoring offense (31.3 ppg) and second in yards (396.4 per game). Quarterback Josh Allen played like an MVP candidate after an inconsistent first two seasons; Aaron Rodgers is the -2400 moneyline favorite to win MVP at William Hill, though, with Allen and Patrick Mahomes both +1100.
"I hate to give him so much credit because I don't want anyone to steal him from me," Bills receiver Stefon Diggs said of Daboll's work this year on the offense.
Diggs led the league in both receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535) and is the first Bills player to lead the NFL in either category. On Sunday, the Bills hung 56 points on a Miami Dolphins defense that entered ranked No. 1 in scoring. The Dolphins became the only No. 1 scoring defense since 1970 to allow at least 50 points in game.
There is talk Jacksonville also would like to speak to Daboll if the Jags don't get their first choice: Former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer. Daboll also has worked with Bill Belichick in New England and with Nick Saban at Alabama.
A few offshore books list Daboll as the betting favorite to be both the next Chargers and Jets head coach but not as high up for openings in Detroit, Atlanta or Houston.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Brian Daboll be a head coach in the NFL next season?
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