Los Angeles Chargers: 5 burning questions on defense

4. Is defensive coordinator Gus Bradley on the hot seat?

This is perhaps the hardest question to answer on this whole list. It might just be the most controversial as well. Even with injuries to players like Derwin James and Adrian Phillips in 2019, Bradley still managed to keep the defense from falling apart.

However, 2020 could really be a make-or-break year for the entire Chargers coaching staff. In the event that head coach Anthony Lynn is on the hot seat, it could mean that Bradley is in the unemployment line come January 2021 as well.

But let’s just say that Lynn isn’t on the hot seat but Bradley’s unit sees everyone stay healthy all throughout the 2020 season but the defense is still middle of the pack. This could prompt Lynn to make some serious changes, one that could even see Bradley get fired.

As Bradley heads into year four of being the Chargers defensive coordinator, the Chargers have ranked third overall (2017), eighth overall (2018), and 14th overall (2019) in defense. To go from third to eight isn’t that bad but dropping all the way to 14th overall is an issue, one that could cost Bradley his job if the defense regresses anymore in 2020.