The Dolphins' former play-caller reveals why his new superstar quarterback is already shattering expectations, mastering a complex offensive scheme in days to ignite a championship-caliber turnaround.
The NFL knows what starting quarterback Justin Herbert brings to the Los Angeles Chargers. That said, they don't know what he will look like with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
For the better part of his short professional career, Herbert has been one of the most gifted quarterbacks in the National Football League. Even so, the talented signal caller has fallen short in the postseason too often. The lack of postseason success has in some ways diminished what a great player he has been in the league.
McDaniel came into the offseason curious to see what type of player Herbert actually was up close. When he gathered his first impressions of the player in practice, McDaniel was far from disappointed. Here's what the former Miami Dolphins head coach had to say about what type of player Herbert has been so far in the offseason.
“Justin's up there as one of the main motivating factors of moving my family here. And so lofty expectations, and I can with absolute certainty say he's exceeded those…. New things that he hasn't done before (I'm thinking) will maybe take three to four weeks, maybe it will take all spring, and there's been some things he's been able to get done and master in a span of three days.”
New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the fourth quarter in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesMcDaniel identifies Herbert as a quick study. The realization poses a seamless transition for McDaniel in installing his offense in Los Angeles after years of coaching the Miami Dolphins. His first season with the team will come with a couple of hurdles.
The Chargers enter 2026 looking to rebound from being shut down by the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card Round. Los Angeles was unable to reach the end zone.
New England, of course, went on to reach the Super Bowl, shutting down both the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos offense along the way. Nevertheless, the offensive no-show is what the Chargers are looking to guard against and why they brought in McDaniel in the first place.
So, can you win a Super Bowl with Herbert? The above quote does not answer that question directly, and no one can know what McDaniel is truly thinking. Albeit the conviction with which he answers whether or not he believes in Herbert indicate he thinks the quarterback has what it takes.
We know what Herbert can do on the football field. We'll find out what that looks like with elite play calling when McDaniel takes over play calling in September.