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Anthony Lynn Fired By Chargers
The Chargers have fired head coach Anthony Lynn.

The move was made this morning after a season in which the Chargers finished 7-9, missing the playoffs for the third time in Lynn’s four seasons.

Although Lynn got credit for the promising development of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, he also took a lot of criticism for the Chargers’ many close losses, in which game management mistakes came back to bite them.

Past the midway point of his fourth season with the Chargers, Lynn and the Chargers had a 3-9 record following a 45-0 loss to the Patriots and it seemed to be past the point of no return for Lynn. But the Chargers decided to give him the remainder of the season before coming to a conclusion about his future and the decision was to conclude his days leading the club.

Lynn, 52, posted a 33-31 record as Chargers coach, beginning with two winning seasons in 2017-18 and one postseason appearance, but hard times have once more befallen the Bolts.

Though the Chargers ended the season on a four-game winning streak to go 7-9, those final four victories came after the team had been eliminated from playoff contention.

As NFL.com reminded reders, it wasn't all that long ago that the Chargers posted a 12-4 campaign in 2018 and advanced to the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. However, Los Angeles followed that season with plenty of potential but no follow-through. L.A. went 5-11 in 2019 when injuries and excruciating defeats clouded their season. It was more of the exact same thing in 2020.

Seven of the Chargers' losses this season came by one possession, with three defeats by three points or less.

They began the season without star defensive back Derwin James, who was lost for the year after his 2019 campaign was also shortened by injury. Among the list of other notable Chargers injuries in 2020 have been Mike Pouncey, Trai Turner, Austin Ekeler, Bryan Bulaga, Chris Harris and Melvin Ingram.

Lynn has had a talent-laden squad each of the last two seasons, but the results didn't follow and even with mounting injuries, the win-loss column was an argument against the coach returning.

Second-guessing of Lynn's decisions seemingly followed each defeat, with every coaching move all the more impactful in close losses.

The Chargers are now the sixth NFL team seeking a new head coach.

Still, as ESPN's Field Yates put it: "The Chargers have a 22-year old QB who just set the rookie record for passing TDs and second-most passing yards ever. The roster has blue chip pieces on both sides of the ball via a strong GM and a healthy cap situation going forward. That's a very attractive head coaching job."

Yes, there are areas that need work. But the Chargers have as solid a foundation as you'll find. Also seeking new coaches are the Jaguars, Jets, Lions, Texans and Falcons.