Harbaugh Reassesses Chargers’ Offense Amid Mcdaniel Hire Criticism
WHO:
Heavy NFL - The Los Angeles Chargers are coached by Jim Harbaugh; Mike McDaniel was hired as offensive coordinator, and quarterback Justin Herbert leads the offense.
ABC News - Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said no decisions had been made about any aspect of the offense, amid speculation about offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s status.
ABC News - Chargers players mentioned include Justin Herbert, wide receivers Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Theo Wease; running backs Kimani Vidal, Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell; and tight end Oronde Gadsden II.
ABC News - Other Chargers mentioned include offensive tackle Joe Alt, safety Derwin James, guard Kayode Awosika, wide receiver Tre Harris, cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Deane Leonard, linebacker Marlowe Wax, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe and defensive tackle Teair Tart.
ABC News - Chargers staff members mentioned include quarterbacks coach Shane Day and passing game specialist Adam Gase. Gase previously coordinated the Denver Broncos’ offense with Peyton Manning at quarterback and later had a 32-48 record as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, with one playoff appearance in five seasons.
chargers.com - Harbaugh said the team was evaluating its offense and considering changes to its playbook and preparation.
WHAT:
ABC News - On first-and-goal at the 1-yard line against Kansas City, the Chargers settled for a field goal after a holding penalty, a shovel pass that lost a yard and two incompletions.
ABC News - The Chargers’ 2000 season began with 11 consecutive losses before they finished 1-15.
Heavy NFL - The Chargers were 0-6, their worst start since 2000, and their offense was described as stagnant. Heavy NFL said Herbert was arguably playing the worst football of his career and characterized the McDaniel hire as a “mistake.”
ABC News - The Chargers lost 22-6 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert took four sacks and nine hits; his only explosive pass was a 57-yard throw to Quentin Johnston. Herbert ran for 26 yards, while the three running backs combined for 43 yards on 16 carries.
ABC News - Herbert threw his league-leading eighth interception, and Lambert-Smith lost a fumble. The Chargers had 15 turnovers in six games, compared with 21 during the entire 2025 regular season.
ABC News - The Chargers held Kansas City to one touchdown in three trips inside the 10-yard line, forced an end-zone interception by Patrick Mahomes after pressure from Teair Tart, and held the Chiefs to 3-for-10 on third down.
chargers.com - The Chargers ranked 30th in points per game at 15.0, tied for 31st in success rate at 40.1%, and ranked 32nd in EPA per play at -0.190.
chargers.com - Harbaugh said the team was examining scoring, complementary football, first-down efficiency, red-zone performance and whether to shorten the playbook. He said the team was also reviewing how much plays were practiced.
ABC News - Harbaugh said, “We’re looking into everything at this point, and that process is ongoing, particularly offensively.”
chargers.com - Harbaugh said, “0-6 does not give the privilege to rule out anything at this point,” and “Everything that relates to moving the ball” was under review.
ABC News - McConkey and Leonard suffered concussions. Gadsden caught three passes for 17 yards; a roughing-the-passer penalty negated an interception after a pass hit his hands.
ABC News - Wax and Eboigbe stopped Kenneth Walker at the goal line on fourth down. Alt, James, Awosika, Harris and Jackson were among the injured or absent players. Harbaugh expressed optimism about improved health after the bye.
chargers.com - Harbaugh said the bye week “will be a positive thing” as a mental and physical reset, but added, “I can’t afford it myself, personally,” referring to his work on the offense.
WHERE:
ABC News - The Chargers lost to the Chiefs in Kansas City.
chargers.com - The Chargers’ team facility is The Bolt; their next listed game is against the Rams at SoFi Stadium, with Los Angeles designated as the visiting team.
WHEN:
chargers.com - The Chargers entered their bye week after losing their first six games of the 2026 season.
chargers.com - Players were scheduled to practice Tuesday and Wednesday, then return after a long weekend on Monday.
ABC News - The Chargers’ next game was listed for Nov. 1 against the Rams.
chargers.com - The Rams game was identified as Week 8.
WHY:
ABC News - In explaining the offense’s struggles, Harbaugh said the team was examining “the different multiple situational ways we need to play more complimentary football.”
ABC News - Harbaugh said the 0-6 record meant the team could not rule out changes. The offense’s struggles were linked to injuries, an inexperienced offensive line, limited receiving options and difficulty translating meetings and practices into game performance.
ABC News - Herbert had difficulty executing the quick throws central to McDaniel’s system; the article said those throws appeared to conflict with Herbert’s preference for extending plays.
chargers.com - Harbaugh said the team was considering simplifying the playbook so players could understand it and execute it more successfully.
The Los Angeles Chargers have opened the season with six straight losses, their worst start since 2000, and are reviewing their offense during the bye week. Coach Jim Harbaugh said no decisions have been made about offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel or other changes, but everything related to moving the ball is under review. The Chargers lost 22 to 6 to Kansas City, managing just a field goal after reaching the one-yard line. Justin Herbert was sacked four times, hit nine times and threw his league-leading eighth interception. The offense ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring and efficiency, with injuries and difficulty executing contributing to the struggles. Harbaugh is considering simplifying the playbook and changing preparation. He said the bye could offer a mental and physical reset, and the Chargers’ next game is against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 1.