Justin Herbert’s first game with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel was supposed to be his big “unlock” moment, but man, did it crash and burn. After a promising opening drive against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, September 13, the whole thing went sideways, leaving everyone wondering what in the heck just happened. The Chargers lost, and what was supposed to be a fresh start under McDaniel ended up as a fiery heap of something.
The Collapse After One Drive
We all had eyes on this one, right? Herbert, under a new system designed to use his insane arm talent and take pressure off, was primed to explode. Instead, after that perfect opening drive, the offense completely stalled. Herbert had some questionable decisions, and his “arm punt” in the fourth quarter to Derius Davis, who was double-covered near the goal line, was a head-scratcher. It felt like he and his teammates were on completely different pages when it came to timing and situational awareness for most of the evening.
“Troubling Signs” From Herbert’s Performance
Analyst Garrett Podell didn’t pull any punches, saying Herbert’s first game with McDaniel was “rough.” Sure, the box score shows 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception on 17-of-27 passing, but Podell noted the “eye test showed more troubling signs.” He pointed out that Herbert and his receivers, outside of Ladd McConkey, just weren’t connected in their routes and progressions. That fourth-quarter interception, the “YOLO arm punt,” where he “flippantly heaved the football into double coverage,” really cemented it. It’s a “very troubling start to Herbert’s 2026,” according to Podell, and it’s hard to argue with that take.
On top of the game day woes, the Chargers made some roster moves, releasing Kaiir Elam from the practice squad and signing Marquez Valdez-Scantling. These are the kinds of early season adjustments that often happen when things aren’t clicking immediately.
What’s Next for the Bolts?
Now, the Chargers have to figure out how to respond. They’ve got a matchup with the Raiders coming up, and you know that game always has an extra layer of intensity. They’ve already put out their first injury report of Week Two, which means they’re diving deep into getting ready. After a start like that, with so much hype around Herbert and McDaniel, you gotta wonder if the pressure is already building for them to get things right fast. Chargers fans will be watching closely to see if they can turn this ship around against their division rivals.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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