Well folks, I think it's safe to say the AFC West got a little softer today. San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron RIvera is set to leave the division to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. He will replace long time Carolina head coach John Fox.
Rivera guided a San Diego Charger defense that was ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL in 2010. And you may recall, the Chiefs didn't exactly light it up offensively against the Chargers in their two games this season. Many commenters are at Bolts from the Blue are saying they thought Rivera and the Charger D was hitting its stride at the end of the season.
John from Bolts from the Blue has a prognostication that should sit well with Chiefs fans:
Any time a team switches coordinators there's a chance for significant movement up or down. With Ron Rivera's ragtag bunch coming off a season in which they were a top 5 defense all season, it's far more likely the movement will be down or at least lateral rather than up.
Anytime you can knock that Charger D down a peg, I'm all for it.