Chargers Shift Play-Calling to the Booth
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will call plays from the coaches’ booth during Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. The move, first reported by DAZN on Thursday, is a direct response to a stagnant offense that has failed to reach the end zone over the last nine quarters of play.
A Stuttering Offensive Engine
The urgency to stabilize the unit is clear: the Chargers have failed to score a touchdown across 27 possessions. While the team managed three field goals in a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on November 1, they remain at the bottom of the NFL in scoring with 99 total points this season. Compounding these struggles, the team has committed an NFL-high 17 turnovers.
McDaniel Seeks a Tactical Vantage Point
McDaniel, who joined the Chargers in 2026 after four seasons as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, believes the panoramic view from the booth will allow him to better observe adjustments and communicate more effectively with his staff.
One of the things that I want to try is call plays from the box to see adjustments for myself and communicate with the position coaches appropriately what things we can focus on between series,
McDaniel said. I won’t be in the same spot.
The coordinator remains unfazed by the growing scrutiny regarding his job security amid the team’s offensive woes. My problem solving doesn’t come from insecurity,
McDaniel said. I’m not trying to prove or justify anything.
He noted that the decision was bolstered by his confidence in the rest of the offensive coaching staff to maintain the tone and flow of information on the sidelines. So I feel a little more comfortable to try that,
McDaniel said. If the tactical change fails to yield results, reports suggest that head coach Jim Harbaugh may be forced to consider further personnel changes.
Adjusting the Communication Flow
While the coordinator’s physical location is changing, his core responsibilities remain. McDaniel will retain play-calling duties, framing the move as a pragmatic effort to improve staff communication rather than a shift in his job status.
Direct communication with quarterback Justin Herbert will continue via the helmet audio link, which remains regulated by NFL rules—severing at the 15-second mark or at the snap. Because McDaniel will no longer be on the sideline to debrief Herbert immediately after a drive, he is relying on assistant coaches to bridge the gap and relay feedback from the field. For fans looking for deeper access, the league also offers the NFL Game Pass subscription, which provides features such as NFL RedZone, NFL Network, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, and Multiview.
The Pressure to Execute
McDaniel arrives at this challenge with a proven pedigree. As the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator in 2021, he directed a unit that ranked seventh in total offense. His 2023 Miami Dolphins squad later led the league in total offense, averaging 401.3 net yards per game, and scored the most points in a single NFL game since 1966 during a 70-20 rout of the Denver Broncos. Earlier in his career, as an assistant in Atlanta, McDaniel helped guide a 2016 Falcons offense—led by MVP Matt Ryan—to the top of the league in scoring, ultimately securing a berth in Super Bowl LIII.
Chargers OC Mike McDaniel says he is moving from the sideline to the booth to call plays. “I think we’re going to try that this week. Seems like a good action to take based on how things have gone this year.”
The team enters the game searching for answers, having scored fewer points through this stage of the schedule than any other team in the league.
