Jim Harbaugh gets out of his comfort zone to hire popular OC candidate who will finally unlock all of Justin Herbert’s potential
The Chargers offense is about to look very different, but in the best way possible.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offense desperately needed a makeover on offense. Jim Harbaugh, for the majority of his coaching career, has believed in power football, which goes through the run game and play action. It was clear in 2025 when the Chargers suffered major injuries to the offensive line, that the style of play simply didn’t work.
The Chargers had yet another first-round exit in the playoffs, and between the lack of protection and inability to separate, the offense looked lifeless in the biggest game of the season. That forced Los Angeles to part ways with longtime friend of Jim Harbaugh and now former OC Greg Roman. Well, the team has found his replacement, and they are polar opposites.
Chargers hire Mike McDaniel to be next offensive coordinator
Mike McDaniel is not anti-run by any means. In fact, the former run game coordinator in San Francisco built an offense in Miami that thrived off wide zone and stretch concepts, helping form Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane into one of the more explosive players in the league.
What Mike McDaniel brings that has been foreign to Jim Harbaugh led team’s in the past is creativity. Justin Herbert will no longer be asked to live off play-action or static dropback passing. Instead you will see all sorts of motions and shifts and unique run game concepts instead of three yards and a cloud of dust. It’s an adaptation from Jim Harbaugh, and one that Adam Holt of A to Z Sports NFL sees as a home run.
“This marriage is a match made in heaven – but in a wonky, hilarious sort of reality. The combination of Jim Harbaugh’s mantra of coaching mixed with the “mad scientist” offensive mind of McDaniel could be exactly what the doctor ordered for LA. Quarterback Justin Herbert will benefit from the sort of scheme that the former Dolphins head coach will employ – especially comparatively to the bland play calling from former OC Greg Roman.”
“While the hire doesn’t fix the offensive line issues, it is a step in the correct direction for the Bolts. Jeff Darlington also reports that both the Buccaneers and Eagles had McDaniel at the top of their candidate list for their OC opening. The excitement and potential of working with Herbert, Omarion Hampton, among other talent for Los Angeles was just too much to turn down for McDaniel. You can’t really blame him for that, either. Find success this year with some legit talent and a strong defense, then you’re a strong HC candidate in 2027 as well.”
