Mike McDaniel's arrival in Miami led to huge and immediate improvements on offense. How fast can he turn around the Chargers?
With Mike McDaniel confirmed to be in the fold, here's how the Chargers offense should look different in year one of his tenure as Offensive Coordinator.
Creative playcalling
The Chargers can expect more receiver motion and deep shots under McDaniel. These worked like a charm during his first two years in Miami, his most recent coaching stop. In 2022, the Dolphins were 6th in total offense, 4th in passing offense, and posted 6.1 yards per play on offense, which was third in the league. They also were a respectable 11th in scoring, and it got even better in year two.
In 2023 Tua Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards for Miami, the team was second in points scored, and second in yards per play at 6.5. They posted a gaudy 70-point scoring game that year as well.
The rushing offense improved from 26th to 6th that year. They benefitted on having a combination of De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert running stretch plays to the perimeter that year. They racked up 1800 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns combined. Something they parlayed into play-action passes down the field. This led to Tagovailoa finishing 3rd in deep passing yards and 4th in deep passer rating at 124.1.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers' passing game last year
Last year, the team finished a decent 11th in passing touchdowns but only 20th in passing yards. Herbert missed a bit of time with a fractured hand, but the real issue was a banged-up offensive line and regression in Ladd McConkey's play.McConkey will be counted on to deliver, but hopefully McDaniel's schemes will make his life easier.
Highly (passer) rated
Herbert finished last year with a passer rating of 94.1, which is admirable considering he was under fire to the tune of 60 sacks allowed. Some innovation by McDaniel could go a long way since he already has a great foundation to work with.
Running the offense
Herbert is more athletically inclined than McDaniel's last quarterback, and I wonder if it could lead to some more designed runs to mix it up. Herbert was second in quarterback rushing yards last year, leading the league in scramble yards because of that offensive line. While Greg Roman was a long-time colleague of Jim Harbaugh's, going back to the 49ers and Stanford, McDaniel is being brought in and trusted with evolving the offense and taking advantage of the skill position players that the Chargers have.
It's going to be exciting to follow.