The Chargers’ playoff loss exposed the offense’s limitations and forced Jim Harbaugh to make a change he couldn’t ignore. Now, with Mike McDaniel in place, Justin Herbert could finally be unleashed—and that painful defeat may have changed the franchise’s future for the better.
When the Chargers walked off the field after their playoff loss to the New England Patriots, it didn’t just feel like a defeat—it felt like a massive missed opportunity. The defense had done its job. They played fast, physical and disciplined. They gave the offense every chance to take control of the game. But the offense never delivered. And in the moment, it was frustrating. Looking back now, though, that loss may have been the best thing that could have happened to this franchise.
Heading into that game, it felt almost inevitable that offensive coordinator Greg Roman would return in 2026. The Chargers had won enough games to justify continuity, and the offense had established a clear identity built around physicality and controlling the clock. From the outside, it looked stable enough. But if you watched closely throughout the season, there were warning signs. The offense often felt limited, predictable and overly reliant on grinding out drives instead of creating explosive plays.
Those concerns came to a head in the playoffs.
The Chargers’ offense looked completely out of sync. There was no rhythm. No creativity. No ability to adjust when things weren’t working. Drives stalled repeatedly, and the unit couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities the defense gave them. In a playoff game, where every possession matters, that kind of offensive performance is impossible to overcome.
Meanwhile, the defense played well enough to win. That’s what made it so frustrating. They held the Patriots in check and kept the Chargers within striking distance. They did their part. The offense didn’t.
That game forced Jim Harbaugh to face a difficult reality. Roman’s system had helped establish toughness, but it had also placed a ceiling on what the offense could be. In today’s NFL, you need more than just physicality. You need creativity. You need explosiveness. And most importantly, you need to maximize your quarterback.
That playoff loss made it clear that change wasn’t just an option—it was necessary.
Now, the Chargers have Mike McDaniel. And that could change everything.
McDaniel brings a completely different approach. His offenses are built on creativity, motion, spacing and putting defenders in impossible situations. He understands how to design plays that create easy opportunities while still generating explosive plays down the field. His system is built to stress defenses, not play it safe.
This could be exactly what Justin Herbert needs.
Herbert has already shown he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in football. He has elite arm strength, toughness and the ability to make throws that very few quarterbacks can make. But too often, it’s felt like he’s been operating within the confines of a system that didn’t fully unleash him. The offense didn’t consistently put him in positions to dominate games.
That could change under McDaniel.
Instead of forcing Herbert to carry the offense, McDaniel’s system can work with him. It can create easier reads, open throwing lanes and more opportunities for explosive plays. It has the potential to turn the Chargers from a conservative, methodical offense into a dynamic, dangerous one.
Ironically, none of this may have happened if the Chargers had won that playoff game. Roman likely would have stayed. The offense likely would have remained the same. The team might have stayed competitive, but not truly dangerous.
Sometimes it takes a painful loss to expose what needs to change.
That playoff defeat didn’t just end the Chargers’ season. It forced the organization to rethink its future. And now, because of that, the Chargers may finally be positioned to unlock their full potential. What once felt like a devastating loss may ultimately be remembered as the moment everything changed.