McDaniel gave a glimpse into where Los Angeles needs to improve in Week 2 after a disappointing season opener.
The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t start to the 2026 season they were hoping for, and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel didn’t shy away from taking accountability for the way the offense performed in the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
McDaniel described the defeat as a “case of humble pie,” acknowledging that the Bolts’ offensive performance fell short of the standard they had set for themselves entering the season.
“Overall, starting with me, I wasn’t happy with the offense and the product we put on the field,” McDaniel said.
Rather than dwelling on the loss, McDaniel explained that the Chargers have already turned their attention toward correcting the issues that showed up against Arizona. Everybody understood the importance of responding quickly, with accountability serving as the starting point.
“I tried to start the process of accountability by showing the guys all the things I know that I could’ve done better,” McDaniel said.
One of the biggest areas the Chargers want to improve against the Las Vegas Raiders is the way they approach each play, particularly when it comes to finishing plays through the whistle.
“The way with which we approach a lot of things…but in particular, focusing on play length, how we play through the whistle,” McDaniel said when asked what the offense is working to fix.
That emphasis could be important for a Chargers offense looking to establish more consistency in Week 2. McDaniel made it clear that the changes aren't simply about correcting individual mistakes, but about improving the overall approach of the group.
The Chargers could also look to get tight end Oronde Gadsden more involved after he played just 10 snaps against Arizona. McDaniel said he had originally planned for Gadsden to receive a larger role, but the flow of the game ultimately prevented that from happening.
“There’s a lot of assets you can use to attack a defense. Every defense reacts to personnel differently,” McDaniel said.
“Moving forward, we plan on utilizing his skillset…I would expect him to be more involved.”
That could give Gadsden an opportunity to make a larger impact against Las Vegas as the Chargers continue figuring out how to best utilize their collection of offensive weapons.
The wide receiver room will also be tested depending on the availability of Ladd McConkey and with Keandre Lambert-Smith landing on injured reserve. McDaniel emphasized that the upcoming week is important for the entire position group regardless of whether McConkey is able to play.
“It’s an important week for the entire group if Ladd plays or not,” McDaniel said.
With or without McConkey, McDaniel wants the other receivers to take advantage of whatever opportunities come their way.
“Guys need to seize the opportunities…It can’t be my secret anymore, it can’t just be in practice,” McDaniel said.
For the Chargers, Week 2 is an opportunity to show that the lessons from Arizona have already translated onto the field. McDaniel has taken responsibility for his part, and now the offense will have a chance to respond against the Raiders.
