Harbaugh: Winless Chargers to stick with McDaniel as offensive playcaller — SkimNews
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- Mike McDaniel will remain the Chargers’ offensive playcaller after Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday announcement, a decision made following the organization’s bye-week self-scouting and backed by Harbaugh’s confidence in McDaniel’s talent, work ethic and ability.
- Los Angeles Chargers managed only 259 total yards and a season-low six points in a 22-6 Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, dropping to 0-6, the NFL’s only winless team, with a league-worst 15.0 points per game.
- Justin Herbert is tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions, including a Week 3 pick to Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and two Week 4 picks to Seattle Seahawks linebackers Drake Thomas and Ernest Jones IV.
- Justin Herbert moved his shotgun stance during the offseason, placing his left foot in front of his right, and later took days off from throwing while practicing his footwork and throwing motion with a green water ball watched by McDaniel.
- Mike McDaniel joined Los Angeles after being fired in January following four seasons as Miami’s head coach, with the assignment to jump-start an offense that had scored one touchdown across two playoff losses under Harbaugh.
- Mike McDaniel’s Miami tenure included a 70-20 win over Denver in 2023 with more than 700 yards and a tie for the points-scored record, a stark contrast to Los Angeles’ league-worst scoring average.
Why it matters: McDaniel keeps his job despite a stark reversal from his Miami résumé: Los Angeles is last in scoring at 15.0 points per game, and Herbert is tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions. Harbaugh’s decision preserves the existing playcalling setup after the bye-week review instead of making an in-season coordinator change.
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