Chargers keep Mike McDaniel on offense despite winless season
Head coach Jim Harbaugh retained the offensive coordinator after a 0-6 start, citing the staff's self-review during the bye week.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed on Wednesday that Mike McDaniel will remain the team's offensive coordinator and playcaller. The announcement comes after the Chargers went winless in their first six games of the 2026 season. Harbaugh stated that the organization is confident in McDaniel's talent, work ethic, and ability to direct the offense.
The decision followed a detailed internal review during the team's Week 7 bye. Harbaugh explained that the staff examined every aspect of the offense to identify areas for improvement. He noted that the organization responded to their struggles by looking closely at every part of the system.
The Chargers entered the break after a 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6. That defeat marked a season-low output of six points. The team managed only 259 total yards in the game, which lowered their points-per-game average to 15.0. With that loss, the Chargers fell to a 0-6 record, making them the final winless team in the league.
McDaniel joined the Chargers this offseason after four seasons as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, a position he left in January. He was hired to improve a unit that had scored just one touchdown across two playoff losses under Harbaugh. McDaniel described quarterback Justin Herbert as one of the most talented players he has worked with and aimed to help him own the position.
The process involved changing Herbert's shotgun stance. McDaniel moved Herbert's left foot in front of his right, a adjustment used with other quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa. Herbert spent days practicing footwork with a green water ball instead of throwing, while McDaniel observed closely.
The offense has struggled since these changes. Herbert has thrown eight interceptions, tying for the lead in the NFL. He was picked off by Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Week 3 and by Seattle Seahawks linebackers Drake Thomas and Ernest Jones IV in Week 4. Despite the current record, McDaniel arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation for building high-scoring teams, including a 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in 2023.
Source: ESPN
