Chargers & Anthony Lynn Officially Reach Agreement On A Four-Year Deal

Update:

Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers and Anthony Lynn have officially reached an agreement on a four-year contract, making him their next head coach.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Chargers are finalizing a deal with Anthony Lynn for him to be their next head coach.

• Albert Breer reports that Lynn will consider keeping OC Ken Whisenhunt and their offensive coaching staff in place.
• According to Breer, former Jaguars HC Gus Bradley is a “prime” defensive coordinator candidate for the Chargers following the decision to hire Lynn.

It became clear that Lynn was the Chargers’ top candidate earlier in the day after the kept him in around to continue meeting with the team.

Buccaneers DC Mike Smith was also in the running for the job, but he agreed to an extension with Tampa Bay and officially removed himself from contention for the Chargers’ job, which paved the way for Lynn.

As for Lynn, it appeared as though he was going to be hired by the Bills after serving as their interim head coach to finish out the year. However, Buffalo wound up being impressed with Panthers DC Sean McDermott and officially hired him on Wednesday.

Other candidates for the Chargers’ job included Lynn, Smith, McDermott, Lions DC Teryl Austin, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, Patriots DC Matt Patricia and Dolphins DC Vance Joseph.

Lynn, 48, began his coaching career with the Broncos back in 2000. He had brief stints with the Jaguars, Cowboys, Browns and Jets as their running backs coach before he was hired by the Bills last year. Buffalo elected to fire OC Greg Roman earlier in the season and Lynn was promoted to run the team’s offense before taking over for Rex Ryan towards the end of the year.