Mike Mcdaniel Collaborates With Herbert to Energize Chargers Offense

WHO:

chargers.com - Mike McDaniel is the Chargers Offensive Coordinator.

chargers.com - Justin Herbert is the quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers.

NY Post - Noah Furtado is a reporter from The Athletic.

WHAT:

chargers.com - McDaniel stated, "There's no rest in Justin Herbert. He's constantly working on his game. That's just the way he lives and breathes."

chargers.com - McDaniel emphasized, "A lot of tape and conversation … I'm much closer to him than I was two weeks ago. One of my greatest coaching privileges I've had is to coach him."

chargers.com - McDaniel noted that while Herbert can certainly play better, so too can everyone else.

chargers.com - McDaniel highlighted a bobbled pass from David Njoku that led to an interception against the Raiders and Oronde Gadsden's "pass breakup" on a ball that was actually intended for Brenen Thompson.

chargers.com - McDaniel stated, "As a competitor and elite human being, by default, Justin blames himself. I've had a meeting with him to make sure he understands that we're never satisfied with what we're doing, but is what we're doing the sole reason for X, Y or Z?"

chargers.com - McDaniel said, "It can be a lonely world as a starting quarterback when you have consecutive losses. It can be lonely as a play caller or an offensive coordinator."

chargers.com - McDaniel added, "You're over communicative and take advantage of the relationship you've built. There's no magic formula. We're not just going to move a wand and score 40."

chargers.com - McDaniel stated, "He's done an unbelievable job this week of being a leader, taking command and bringing the urgency. He's creating an environment of confident by executing his responsibility and job and by being accountable."

chargers.com - McDaniel stated, "The long and short of it is that we're not standing on business in the least. I've got to find out a lot about the people I'm working with, both coaches and players."

chargers.com - McDaniel emphasized, "All you want is the focus on solutions from coaches and players. Anything else, I don't have time for."

chargers.com - McDaniel noted, "He's done an unbelievable job this week of being a leader, taking command and bringing the urgency. He's creating an environment of confident by executing his responsibility and job and by being accountable."

chargers.com - The Chargers have started the season with a record of 0-2.

chargers.com - The Chargers rank 30th in offensive EPA per play (-0.180), 29th in points per game (14.0), and 25th in offensive success rate (44.3 percent) according to Pro Football Focus.

chargers.com - McDaniel stated, "I don't think it's a secret. Plain and simple, it's below our expectations and below a lot of peoples' expectations as well."

chargers.com - Herbert mentioned, "It's about the next game and understanding we have a job to do. My job is to be the best leader and quarterback I can be for this team."

chargers.com - McDaniel highlighted a bobbled pass from David Njoku that led to an interception against the Raiders.

chargers.com - McDaniel said, "He is so competitive from a team perspective and he's so focused on winning."

chargers.com - McDaniel noted, "It can be a lonely world as a starting quarterback when you have consecutive losses."

WHERE:

chargers.com - The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

chargers.com - The Chargers practice at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.

WHEN:

chargers.com - The Chargers have a Week 3 road trip to Buffalo.

WHY:

chargers.com - McDaniel believes the only way to improve is through collaboration between the quarterback and play caller to produce wins.

HOW:

chargers.com - McDaniel and Herbert are watching back the film from each game together to analyze the offense, which is a key component in assessing performance.

chargers.com - McDaniel and Herbert watch back the film from each game together to analyze the offense.

chargers.com - McDaniel emphasized the importance of communication and building a relationship with Herbert to improve performance.

Chargers head coach Mike McDaniel praised quarterback Justin Herbert for his relentless work ethic, stating that he lives and breathes the game. McDaniel also noted that while Herbert can improve, so can the rest of the team, highlighting specific plays that contributed to recent losses. He emphasized Herbert's leadership this week, creating a confident environment as the team prepares for their next challenge.