The Los Angeles Chargers are evaluating the future of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel following a winless 0-6 start to the 2026 season. Following a 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 18, head coach Jim Harbaugh signaled that changes to the struggling offense are likely during the team’s upcoming bye week.
Jim Harbaugh’s Review of the Offensive Staff
With the offense averaging just 15.0 points per game through six weeks, head coach Jim Harbaugh has stopped providing the public assurances of job security he offered earlier in the season. When asked if McDaniel would continue calling plays when the team returns to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8, Harbaugh declined to guarantee his status.
We’re going to look at everything. . . . I feel bad for our players, our team, our coaches, our fans. And (the offense) needs to be addressed.
Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach
This uncertainty marks a notable shift from early October, when Harbaugh stated that McDaniel’s position was not in jeopardy. The offense has been a primary driver of defeats against the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos. Harbaugh acknowledged that the responsibility for the state of the team rests on his shoulders.
Mike McDaniel’s Performance and Coaching Philosophy
McDaniel, who joined the organization in the offseason to work with quarterback Justin Herbert, has faced persistent criticism regarding his play-calling and the team’s offensive identity. The current system relies on an anticipatory approach that demands quarterbacks identify coverage before the snap, a stark contrast to the style of play-callers like Kyle Shanahan who lean into post-snap reactions. Analysts have compared Herbert’s preference for controlling an offense to established veterans like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, rather than the movement-based systems preferred by younger coordinators.
Harbaugh on McDaniel https://t.co/A1gGYsd54m
Critics have pointed to a reliance on complex pre-snap motions and a run game that frequently faces loaded boxes. According to data from NFL Next Gen Stats cited by ESPN, the Chargers have faced a numbers disadvantage in the run game on 36.2% of plays, the fifth-worst rate in the league. This has contributed to a stagnant offense that ranks 30th in scoring at 16.8 points per game and 25th in total offense with 292.8 yards per game.
Injuries have further complicated the team’s ability to execute, with Pro Bowl tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater missing significant time, the latter due to ankle surgery. The offensive line has been forced to field four rookies in starting roles, a unit that Butch Barry, the offensive line coach, has struggled to stabilize regarding assignment discipline and communication. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey has also been hampered by a foot injury, limiting Herbert’s available targets.
For his part, McDaniel has maintained that he remains committed to the team’s improvement despite the mounting pressure. During a media session on October 15, he addressed the speculation surrounding his job status, stating, I feel like it’s core to my job to always feel that way,
adding that he would be doing his best because he believes it is insulting to do otherwise.
Adam Gase as a Potential Internal Replacement
Should the Chargers decide to move on from McDaniel, reports indicate that passing game specialist Adam Gase is the primary candidate to take over the offensive play-calling duties. Gase, a former head coach of the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, was brought in this season to strengthen the team’s passing structure. Analysts note that Gase’s potential appeal lies in his familiarity with the current roster, terminology, and Herbert’s specific preferences after spending the season working closely with the offensive staff.
The urgency for change is compounded by Herbert’s statistical regression. His turnover-worthy play rate has climbed to 6.7%, nearly three times the highest figure of his career before this season. Furthermore, the team has accumulated 13 giveaways, the highest total in the NFL. Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken has also been under pressure to ensure the team does not waste favorable field position, as the kicking game accounted for all six of the team’s points in the recent loss to Kansas City.
The Chargers are currently 32nd in the league in expected points added (EPA) per play. As the organization heads into its bye week, the decision on whether to retain McDaniel or pivot to Gase remains the central question facing Harbaugh’s administration.
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