Embattled offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will continue as the Los Angeles Chargers' playcaller despite a winless start, coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday. Harbaugh expressed confidence in McDaniel's talent and work ethic after the organization's self-scouting over their bye week. Before the Week 7 bye, the Chargers scored a season-low six points in a Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, managing just 259 total yards and lowering their league-worst points-per-game average to 15.0. The 22-6 loss dropped the Chargers to 0-6, making them the league's last winless team this season.
Harbaugh made the decision to retain McDaniel, who joined the Chargers this offseason to jump-start the offense. McDaniel, fired in January after four seasons as Miami Dolphins head coach, was hired to help Justin Herbert "own" the position. The process began with Herbert changing his shotgun stance over the offseason, moving his left foot in front of his right. McDaniel has made similar changes with other quarterbacks, most recently Tua Tagovailoa, who had his only Pro Bowl in Year 2 under McDaniel. Herbert practiced footwork with a green water ball instead of throwing, a method McDaniel employs.
Despite McDaniel's reputation as one of the NFL's most respected playcallers, responsible for some of the greatest offenses in league history, including a 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos with 700-plus yards of offense in 2023, the Chargers' offense has struggled. Herbert has thrown eight interceptions this season, including direct picks to C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Week 3 and Drake Thomas and Ernest Jones IV in Week 4. The offense has looked worse since the changes began.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing