It’s time to fire up Chargers’ Justin Herbert MVP train after massive Mike McDaniel change

It looks like Los Angeles Chargers OC Mike McDaniel has not only challenged Justin Herbert but also made a significant tweak. And now it’s time to fire up the Justin Herbert MVP train after a massive McDaniel change.

The change comes down to the ground, according to a post on X by Alex Insdorf.

“Chargers OC Mike McDaniel on convincing QB Justin Herbert to focus on his footwork more than throwing: ‘If you give them reason behind whatever you’re trying to do, that’s where you can get people’s buy-in. I think he understood the extreme measures. All of those things are really gonna benefit us in the long term. I’m trying to find the margins.’ ”

Chargers’ OC Mike McDaniel should be good for QB Justin Herbert

The biggest change is how Herbert starts things in the shotgun formation, according to The Athletic.

“Throughout his career, dating to his rookie year in 2020, Herbert has primarily set up with his right foot forward,” Daniel Popper wrote. “The foot on the same side as his throwing hand.

“McDaniel has switched that setup. Herbert is now aligning with his left foot slightly forward when in shotgun formation. The foot opposite his throwing hand. Here is an example from Wednesday’s practice.”

Herbert said the change is designed to get the ball out more quickly.

“There’s going to be a lot of positive consequences,” McDaniel said. “How he throws, how we get it to our eligibles, and all the talented players that we have on this team. Their ability to do stuff with the football in their hands with the maximum amount of space will benefit us all greatly.

“You’re throwing a 5-yard out route. How can we get 12 (yards) on that? Well, our timing, based on our footwork and when we’re able to throw, has a big portion in the overall maximization of that 5-yard out route. When the player gets the ball and how (the quarterback’s) timing is tied to the depths and the route tree of the offensive players, so we can get the ball to them out of the break.”

Did Justin Herbert need to be changed?

Herbert already has an impressive NFL resume. He was the AP offensive rookie of the year in 2020 and followed up with two Pro Bowl appearances, including last year. Herbert threw for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

McDaniel made it clear that he isn’t trying to fix Herbert, according to the team’s website via Yahoo.com.

“It wasn’t like I was trying to fix something that was like, ‘This is broke,'” McDaniel said. “We’re looking at a player that is very, very talented and top tier in achievement his whole career. [We want to] try to take him to the next level where he can own certain things and really get the ball to his teammates as fast as possible and help the efficiency of the offense.”

Herbert said getting used to McDaniel, according to chargers.com.

“It’s been good so far,” Herbert said. “Doing it the way he sees our offense. And the timing within the routes. It’s been good to practice and stuff to get used to, for sure. It’s all about getting the reps and making sure you’re good with it. It has been really good to work with him.”

The bottom line will be wins and losses. Will the Herbert-McDaniel duo soar or flop? The 2026 season will hold the answers. If Herbert wins MVP, it could be a Super Bowl season.

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