Mike McDaniel made major changes to his offensive staff, but keeping Shane Day and Sanjay Lal was the right call. Day’s relationship with Justin Herbert ensures stability, while Lal preserves receiver continuity. Smart coaching is knowing what to change—and what to keep.
When a coaching staff gets overhauled, it usually means everything is on the table. Assistants are replaced, philosophies shift and continuity often becomes an afterthought. That’s why the reports that Mike McDaniel is retaining both Sanjay Lal and Shane Day stand out as not just reasonable decisions—but smart ones.
McDaniel has clearly made it a priority to reshape this offensive staff. That kind of reset can be necessary, especially when an offense underperforms or fails to meet expectations. But completely wiping the slate clean comes with its own risks. Development can stall, trust has to be rebuilt and quarterbacks often bear the brunt of that instability. By keeping Lal and Day in place, McDaniel is preserving two key pillars that provide familiarity and stability where it matters most.
The most important piece of this decision revolves around Justin Herbert.
Shane Day has long been considered Herbert’s guy. Their relationship dates back years, and that kind of connection isn’t something you casually discard. Herbert is the face of the franchise and one of the most talented quarterbacks in football. His comfort level, confidence and trust in the coaching staff should always be a top priority. When a quarterback feels supported and understood, it translates directly onto the field.
Quarterback play is as much mental as it is physical. Having a coach who understands Herbert’s tendencies, how he processes information and how to push him without overloading him is invaluable. Day provides that. He knows how Herbert learns. He knows what works and what doesn’t. Removing that relationship during a broader offensive transition could have created unnecessary friction.
Instead, McDaniel chose the smarter path. He made changes where he felt changes were needed but protected the most important asset in the building. If Herbert is comfortable, confident and fully bought into the system, the offense has a much higher ceiling. Disrupting that relationship would have introduced unnecessary risk.
Sanjay Lal’s retention is equally important, even if it doesn’t draw the same level of attention. Wide receiver development and cohesion are critical components of any successful offense, and Lal has been instrumental in building that foundation. He understands the strengths of each receiver and knows how to put them in positions to succeed. That kind of familiarity matters, especially when new offensive concepts are being introduced.
Timing and chemistry between a quarterback and his receivers take time to develop. Lal’s presence helps preserve that continuity. It ensures the receivers won’t be starting from scratch with someone new who has to learn their tendencies, personalities and skill sets. That stability can make a huge difference, particularly early in the season when offenses are still finding their rhythm.
What this ultimately shows is that McDaniel isn’t making emotional decisions—he’s making calculated ones. He recognized that while changes were necessary, not everything needed to be torn down. Keeping Day protects Herbert. Keeping Lal protects the receiving corps. Together, they help ensure the offense maintains a level of continuity despite broader changes.
Good coaches know when to make changes, but great coaches know what not to change. By holding on to Shane Day and Sanjay Lal, McDaniel is proving he understands that balance.