The NFL’s last winless team is sticking with its offensive playcaller. Despite a rough start, the team is not making a change in the booth.
Mike McDaniel will continue calling plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, the team’s head coach announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.
Why are the Chargers keeping Mike McDaniel?
The head coach said the team remains very confident in Mike McDaniel’s talent, work ethic and ability, according to reports.
The decision came after the organization studied itself during its bye week. The coach said the team looked at every part of its operation that could be improved. The bye gave the staff extra time to review film and look for fixes.
How bad has the Chargers offense been?
Los Angeles has lost all six of its games and is the only winless team in the league. Its offense averages 15 points per game, the lowest in the NFL. The Chargers entered the season with playoff expectations after reaching the postseason in each of the coach’s first two years.
Before the bye, the Chargers scored just six points, their fewest this season, and gained only 259 yards in a 22 to 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The offense has struggled to sustain drives and finish in the red zone.
What has gone wrong for Justin Herbert?
Mike McDaniel set out to help Justin Herbert take full ownership of the offense, calling him as talented a quarterback as any he had been around.
Over the offseason, Herbert changed his shotgun stance, moving his left foot in front of his right. He spent some practice days working on footwork with a water ball instead of throwing, with McDaniel watching closely. The goal was to make his footwork more consistent and his throws more accurate.
Instead, Herbert has struggled. He is tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions, including one thrown directly to a Buffalo safety and two to Seattle linebackers. Turnovers have repeatedly killed drives and handed opponents short fields.
Many consider Herbert one of the league’s best quarterbacks, but he has looked like a shell of that player this season. He signed a contract extension worth more than $260 million in 2023.
Why did the Chargers hire Mike McDaniel?
Mike McDaniel joined Los Angeles this offseason after the Miami Dolphins fired him in January following four seasons as head coach. His Miami teams reached the playoffs twice.
The Chargers wanted to energize an offense that scored just one touchdown in two playoff losses under its current head coach. The Chargers lost in the first round of the playoffs in both seasons.
McDaniel arrived as one of the most respected play designers in football. In 2023, his Dolphins beat the Denver Broncos 70 to 20 with more than 700 yards of offense. Few teams in NFL history have scored more in a single game. His Miami offenses were known for speed, motion and creative designs.
He has made similar stance changes with other quarterbacks, including Tua Tagovailoa, who made his only Pro Bowl in his second season with McDaniel in Miami. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards that season.
What is next for Mike McDaniel and the Chargers?
The Chargers return from their bye looking for their first win. The pressure on the coaching staff is likely to grow if the losses continue. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the Chargers could also look to add help.
For now, Mike McDaniel has the backing of his head coach, but the results will need to change quickly. Any turnaround will likely depend on whether Herbert can return to form.
