The Los Angeles Chargers are staring down a brutal six-game losing streak to open the 2026 season, and it’s not just the fans getting frustrated. Opposing coaches are straight up calling out first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, with one insider dropping some serious truth bombs. The Athletic’s Mike Sando reported that coaches believe McDaniel went full “graduate-level version of his offense with all its shifts, motions and formations from Week 1.” Yikes.
McDaniel’s “Graduate-Level” Offense Facing a Hard Reality Check
One coach didn’t pull any punches when talking about McDaniel’s system. They told Sando, “There are a lot of formations and motions that he’s gonna present to you. I don’t know if that’s easy to operate for those guys or not.” Then comes the real kicker: “And then it’s like an unquantifiable ripple effect, then they start having self-inflicted penalties and s–t like that.” That’s a direct quote, folks. That ‘self-inflicted s–t’ played out Sunday against the Chiefs in a painful 22-6 loss, where the Chargers only managed a measly 259 yards of offense. They also coughed up two turnovers and racked up seven flags for 59 yards. When coaches are calling out your offense like that, you know it’s bad.
Herbert’s Struggling Stats and a Scheme Mismatch?
What’s even wilder is that you keep thinking something has to click with an offense led by Justin Herbert and designed by McDaniel, with Jim Harbaugh coaching the team. McDaniel built some strong units with the 49ers and Dolphins, and Herbert is arguably a better pure thrower than what McDaniel had in those places. But another coach is openly questioning if Herbert and this system are just a bad combo. They told Sando, “In Miami, when they were rolling, it was because of the explosive skill they had, and a phenomenal system. San Francisco rolls because of Brock Purdy. I just don’t know if Herbert can handle that system. That is my take, and then couple that with their line being the worst we’ve seen.” Sure, offensive line injuries aren’t making Herbert’s life easy in the pocket, but that doesn’t explain everything. Herbert is averaging a shocking 190.2 passing yards per game, ranks dead last in QBR at 29.9, and has a league-high eight interceptions. Seriously, those numbers are brutal.
Harbaugh On the Brink of a Big Move?
The heat is definitely on in Los Angeles. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported a “growing buzz” that Harbaugh will dismiss McDaniel “soon.” If that happens, passing game coordinator Adam Gase would likely step in to run the offense. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for Harbaugh to make a big move, as Los Angeles has a bye in Week 7. It’s now or never to shake things up and try to salvage a season that’s already gone completely off the rails. What do you even do from here, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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