The Los Angeles Chargers entered 2026 expecting Mike McDaniel to unlock a new level for Justin Herbert. Four games in, the team is winless, and the first-year Chargers offensive coordinator is hearing calls for his job. McDaniel says that comes with the territory.

“I think it’s probably zero percent entitlement,” McDaniel told reporters. “I know in this league, particularly in the first block, you’re gonna be held accountable. When you have high expectations and you’re getting the results we’re getting, that’s pretty standard operating procedure as I’ve seen in the National Football League in my experience.”

#Chargers OC Mike McDaniel on his job security being a topic after 4 games:

“I would be foolish or I’d feel entitled if I didn’t expect there to be disappointment that comes with the territory of the job. … I don’t expect to get praised through failure.”

Full answer: pic.twitter.com/AC8TLZaeUl

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 8, 2026

The Chargers fell to 0-4 with a 30-23 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, following earlier defeats to the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills. Opponents have outscored them 106-67.

“Everybody that is paying attention, every fan, everybody wants the Chargers to do better,” McDaniel said. “I would be foolish or I’d feel entitled if I didn’t expect there to be disappointment that comes with the territory of the job.”

The numbers explain the noise. Herbert has thrown six interceptions and been sacked 12 times, both tied for second-most in the NFL. Against Seattle, the offense managed just 92 total yards in the first half, when Herbert went 5-of-14 for 36 yards with two interceptions. Injuries have not helped, with center Tyler Biadasz lost for the season before Week 1 and several pass catchers banged up.

McDaniel arrived in Los Angeles in January, weeks after the Miami Dolphins fired him following four seasons as head coach. The Chargers had gone 11-6 in each of Jim Harbaugh’s first two years, and pairing McDaniel’s creative scheme with Herbert’s arm was supposed to be a major upgrade.

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Harbaugh has already shut down any talk of a change, saying McDaniel’s job “is not in jeopardy.” For his part, McDaniel believes the only answer is a better product on the field.

“If you want things to change and you want narratives to change, you have to change them through action, collectively,” McDaniel said. “If our results are better, that’s the only thing that matters. I don’t expect to get praised through failure.”

The Chargers will try to get in the win column against the Denver Broncos in Week 5.