Report: Brandon Staley to meet with Miami Dolphins, has interest from NFC teams

Brandon Staley reportedly will meet with the Miami Dolphins this weekend to discuss their vacant defensive coordinator position as the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach looks for a new job.

The Dolphins are in need of a new defensive coordinator after parting ways with Vic Fangio after one season.

Staley, who was fired by the Chargers during the 2023 NFL season, reportedly also will be meeting with the Green Bay Packers and has drawn interest from the Los Angeles Rams for similar positions.

The 41-year-old was in his third season with the Chargers when he was fired on Dec. 15 after a 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Los Angeles was 5-9 at the time and finished the campaign 5-12.

The Chargers were coming off a 10-7 record in the 2022 regular season that was followed by a 31-30 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Los Angeles led that game 27-0 in the first half.

The Chargers were 24-24 under Staley, who was hired prior to the 2021 season after serving as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.

The Dolphins hired Fangio this past offseason with the hope that he could help them get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1984 season. However, that did not work out as Miami stumbled down the stretch and failed to win the AFC East. It then was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 65-year-old reportedly was the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL and had a three-year contract with an option for a fourth season. With head coach Mike McDaniel specializing on offense, it was thought Fangio would bring a solid balance to the team on the other side of the ball. He reportedly is expected to wind up with the Philadelphia Eagles.

This season, the Dolphins ranked 23rd in total yards allowed but were 11th in points allowed per game. By comparison, the Chargers were fifth in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed per game.

If Staley is hired by the Dolphins, he will look to improve the defensive unit with the hope that it will lead to Miami’s first playoff victory since the 2000 NFL season.