Why Chargers OC Mike McDaniel is looking for “year 2 results in year 1″ from his QB

BengalsLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)AP Photo/Maria LysakerCLEVELAND, Ohio — The Los Angeles Chargers offense needed some retooling.While the squad made a second consecutive playoff appearance, that run was arguably due to the defense ranking among the NFL’s best.The offense, on the other hand, ranked 24th in points (20.6), 14th in rushing yards (119.7), and 19th in passing yards (207.1).But they’ve since looked to change that with the addition of Mike McDaniel at offensive coordinator. McDaniel understands the potential success of the offense starts with quarterback Justin Herbert. And to his benefit, Herbert is showing McDaniel up close why he’s among the NFL’s best quarterbacks.“(Herbert’s) been everything that I’d hoped and more in that regard,” McDaniel said on Monday.A steamed Todd Monken abruptly cuts practice short after several defenders cross the line; calls everyone in for a strong rebuke How did Deshaun Watson play vs. the Bears? The reason behind the reason for the Dennis Schröder deal: Terry’s Talkin’ podcastWhere Browns stand entering preseason Week 2: Tuesday’s Sports 4 CLEMcDaniel coached Miami the last four seasons, and at one point, arguably coached the best offense in the NFL.After posting a seven-win season in 2025, Miami and McDaniel parted ways.Since arriving in Los Angeles, he’s been looking to implement is system. McDaniel’s style of offense is fast, with heavy pre-snap motion and play action schemes.He says the unit has done well in adjusting.“They’ve been up for the challenge,” McDaniel said. “And that’s because we’re not having a year off -- we’re trying to be our best right now. So we have to put in the prerequisite work to get that done.”In regard to Herbert, McDaniel understands quarterbacks sometimes produce better in the second season of an offense, rather than the initial campaign. Previous examples include Tua Tagovailoa in McDaniel’s system in 2023 in Miami, which led to Tagovailoa leading the NFL in passing yards. There’s also Matt Ryan in Kyle Shanahan’s offense in Atlanta in 2016, when McDaniel was an assistant, and helped Ryan win MVP that season. With Herbert, McDaniel is looking for “year 2 results in year 1.”“We’re just finding different things to add to his game each and every day to put the best foot forward in Week 1,” Herbert said.The Chargers have not won a playoff game since the 2018 season. Each of there three playoff appearances dating back to 2021, have all been wild-card round losses. Furthermore, the Chargers are still in a deep AFC West division. Denver is coming off an AFC championship appearance, Kansas City is looking to reclaim contender-status with the recovery of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Las Vegas is on the rise after drafting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick.Los Angeles has what it takes to battle these teams for the divisional title, and more, but the rate of play has to be at a consistent level to meet their goals.The Cleveland.com Express Desk uses AI tools to assist in producing content, which is reviewed and edited by staff.