Mike McDaniel has always had elite speed at receiver to build his offense around. With a different group in Los Angeles, he needs to adjust his playbook and find creative ways to maximize the strengths of the Chargers’ current receivers.
Mike McDaniel has built his reputation around creating explosive offenses and finding ways to get playmakers into space. During his time with the Miami Dolphins, that meant having players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal. That combination of speed changed the way defenses had to play against Miami and gave McDaniel plenty of opportunities to build his offense around what those players did best.
But the Los Angeles Chargers don’t have Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle.
That may sound obvious, but it is an important distinction when looking at the struggles of the offense through the first three games of the 2026 season. Los Angeles is 0-3 and has scored just 46 points. McDaniel has taken responsibility for the problems, saying that as the offensive coordinator and play-caller, he understands that he needs to take the blame when things aren’t working.
At some point, the solution has to be more than simply asking these players to execute the same concepts that worked with a completely different group of receivers.
Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris all bring different strengths to the table. McConkey is at his best when he can use his quickness and route running to create separation. Johnston is a bigger target who can use his size and athleticism after the catch. Harris has shown the ability to make plays down the field while also being a willing blocker.
McDaniel actually talked this offseason about the potential of this receiver group and the different skill sets they bring. The Chargers also believed his system could help Johnston maximize his ability after the catch.
The problem is that the offense has not consistently translated those ideas onto the field.
McDaniel’s Dolphins offense was built around motion, misdirection, crossing routes and, perhaps most importantly, speed. Hill and Waddle forced defenses to defend every inch of the field because either one could turn a short completion into a huge gain.
The Chargers need to create advantages differently.
That could mean leaning even more heavily into McConkey’s quickness, getting Johnston involved on designed touches and giving Harris more opportunities to work the intermediate areas of the field. It also means using Omarion Hampton and the running game to force defenses to respect what is happening underneath instead of constantly trying to manufacture the same explosive plays.
And with McConkey currently questionable with a foot injury, McDaniel may have to make those adjustments immediately.
There is nothing wrong with bringing an established offensive philosophy to Los Angeles. The issue is refusing to adapt that philosophy to the personnel.
McDaniel has proven that he can build a dangerous offense when he has the right pieces. Now he needs to prove that he can build one around the pieces he actually has.
The Chargers don’t need another version of the Dolphins offense. They need the best version of the Chargers offense.
That means McDaniel needs to adjust his strategy.
