The Chargers fired both Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi, and Quarterbacks Coach Shane Day on Tuesday morning. Losing both the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach most certainly means an entire scheme change for the Charger's offense. Here is a potential candidate to lead the Charger's offensive playcalling next season.
Bobby Slowik History
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 8: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and Offensive Passing Game Specialist Bobby Slowik of the San Francisco 49ers on the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 38-13. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Bobby Slowik is rapidly gaining steam in the NFL as a young hot coach. He started his playing career as a wide receiver at Michigan Tech University in 2006 but never made his way into the NFL as a player. Instead, he joined the Washington Redskins in 2011 as a video assistant, and accepted his first coaching role as a defensive assistant under Mike Shanahan.
After Shanahan was fired, Slowik became an analyst with Pro Football Focus from 2014-2016. Kyle Shanahan then hired Slowik as a defensive quality control coach with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Slowik then flipped sides and became a offensive assistant the following two seasons before he was promoted as passing game coordinator in 2021 when Mike Lafleur was hired to be the New York Jets Offensive Coordinator.
Case For Bobby Slowik
The job Slowik has done over the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers is commendable. He helped Deebo Samuel reach First-Team All-Pro in 2021 with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards, and 14 total touchdowns. The 49ers finished with a 10-7 record, and made it to the NFC Championship game.
This season, the 49ers have been even better while also working with a 3rd string quarterback who was the last pick in this years draft. The job that Slowik has done with Brock Purdy shows the kind of value a passing coordinator can have on the development of a young quarterback. The combination of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle has been one of the best trio’s in the NFL this season. For this reason, Slowik is primed for a promotion.
Case Against Bobby Slowik
While Slowik is reaping the rewards of a hot 49ers passing attack, let’s be clear about the role that he has. He is not calling plays and scheming players open. He’s not even the quarterbacks coach. He is more of a soundboard for Kyle Shanahan and Brian Grease whose hands on the offense really drives the 49ers success.
Slowik experience just isn’t where it needs to be to take the reigns of the vital role of being the ultimate leader for the Chargers offense. He’s never been a play caller and the lack of experience should deter him away from being a play caller this early in his coaching career. As a rising coaching in the NFL ranks, he will get that opportunity sooner or later, but at this point in his career, he just hasn’t earned the right to be named an offensive coordinator in this league quite yet.
Bottom Line
Bobby Slowik would be a fine choice if he was brought to the coaching staff as a quarterbacks coach. He has earned a promotion and could bring over pieces of Kyle Shanahans scheme, which has proven to be successful in both the pass and run game. Coaches from the Shanahan system have been extremely successful in the NFL, but Slowik needs to take smaller steps, and not grow too fast.
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