Mike McDaniel is emphasizing the importance of Justin Herbert adapting better to the new offensive style amid a poor start to the Los Angeles Chargers' 2026 campaign.
McDaniel is going through the first year of his Chargers stint as offensive coordinator. This comes after he spent four years with the Miami Dolphins as their head coach.
Los Angeles is often in the picture for playoff contention, having garnered big regular-season victories over the years. However, they have taken steps back to start 2026 after losing to the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and the Buffalo Bills.
McDaniel spoke to reporters on Thursday, per reporter Kris Rhim. The coordinator knows that issues popped up with the first three games, but has seen solid progress from Herbert as he sees how to get better performances out of the star quarterback.
“At this point I think I have a much better understanding of things that lead to him making good plays,” McDaniel said.
What lies ahead for Mike McDaniel, Chargers
Article Continues BelowMike McDaniel knows that the Chargers' playoff hopes are at stake amid the poor start to the season. Getting Justin Herbert to perform better on the field is the top priority for him with regard to the Los Angeles offense.
Los Angeles' next four games feature opponents that have strong cases as serious contenders. Seattle, Denver, and the Rams stand out among the bunch, presenting concern for the Chargers if they don't get it together soon.
They sit at the bottom of the AFC West Division standings, being under the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders. In terms of the conference standings, they sit at 14th place. They are above the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans while trailing the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts.
The Chargers seek their first win of the season when they gear up for their next matchup, being on the road. They take on the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 4 at 4:25 p.m. ET.