Chargers coach Brandon Staley backs Joey Bosa after officiating outburst

Chargers coach Brandon Staley on Tuesday supported Joey Bosa’s right to publicly vent about officials after the Chargers’ 28-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, noting his status within the league. Bosa is a three-time Pro Bowl player.

“This guy has earned the right to express himself,� Staley said. “This guy’s a premium player in the league. This isn’t uncommon for players like that to talk about officiating. It’s a big part of the game.�

Bosa picked up an unsportsmanlike penalty in the final four minutes after he was upset about not drawing a holding penalty on a Derek Carr incompletion.

“Refs are blind, simple,� he said after the game. “I’m sorry, ‘But you’re blind, like, open your eyes and do your job.’ It’s so bad. It’s unbelievable.�

The situation ended up having no influence on the score when, two plays later, Derwin James had a game-sealing interception.

“Obviously that’s on me,� Bosa said. “I should never lose my control like that. But these guys have got to do a better job because it’s been years of terrible, terrible miscalls, left and right. It’s really pathetic, honestly, but pathetic on me, too, for doing what I did.

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“Call or not, I have to take a step back and just go to the next play. But, man, they just seem to not even have their eyes open half the time.�

Staley also emphasized the importance of Bosa admitting he erred by going too far and being flagged for a penalty himself.

“The takeaway is not him being frustrated with the officiating because he has every right to be frustrated about what was going on,� Staley said. “He took full ownership, which is what I want to see as a coach.�