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Los Angeles’s biggest offseason addition is someone who won’t make a single block, tackle, catch, or kick in 2026. It’s new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose job is to breathe life into the Chargers offense, which hasn’t been able to run the ball, find explosive plays in the passing game, or protect quarterback Justin Herbert for the past two seasons. McDaniel won’t have the embarrassment of riches at receiver he did when he was head coach in Miami, but Herbert is the most talented quarterback he’s ever worked with. My most optimistic read of Los Angeles’s offense is that McDaniel will get the run game to above average and set up enough easy passes through the play-action game to help the young and unproven receiving corps find easy opportunities.
Of course, there are still concerns about the interior of the Chargers offensive line. Guards Cole Strange and Trevor Penning are effectively replacement-level players, and rookies Jake Slaughter and Logan Taylor might not be ready to step in and contribute right away. McDaniel is an excellent play caller and is capable of turning this ship around. But it seems like the Chargers will need something nearly miraculous to turn this roster into a true contender.
