Chiefs Win Could Get Chargers Offensive Coordinator Fired

The Kansas City Chiefs got a 22-6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but the loss could be a costly one for LA, with rumors after the game that new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will be fired, according to reports from multiple outlets. 

Comments from a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football indicated that there was a “growing buzz” that the Chargers will be parting ways with McDaniel after the team fell to 0-6 since he became the offensive coordinator. The Chargers have scored just 84 points in those losses, and problems with turnovers, pre-snap penalties and ineffective plays have been both constant and ongoing. 

Coach Jim Harbaugh was asked if McDaniel will still be calling plays when the team plays coming off its bye two weeks from now, and Harbaugh said “we’ll look at everything,” per Noah Furtado of The Athletic. Alper also noted that if the Chargers do make a move, former New York Jets head coach and current pass game specialist Adam Gase is expected to run the offense. 

The comments in The Athletic were more inflammatory, with Jesse Newell and Furtado stating that, “No logical explanation acquits Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel of the dumpster fire he has created.”

The roster is basically the same as that of the team that made the playoffs the last two seasons, so McDaniel is the variable that’s been introduced. 

The Chiefs, meanwhile, were able to get their pass rush going, as they finally got their first sack in 3.5 games when they got to Herbert in the third quarter. But Kansas City was able to pressure and hit Herbert constantly, as the Chargers had numerous chances to score but could only come up with a pair of field goals. 

The Chiefs have to be thankful that they have running back Kenneth Walker III, per the writers. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes  and the rest of the offense was inconsisten, with good plays marred by bad penalties and plenty of missed opportunities, and short-yardage situations are now officially a problem for the Chiefs as they were stoned again on a goal-line stand by the Chargers that resulted in a turnover on downs. 

Harbaugh indicated that some of Herbert’s turnovers were based on his desperation to make plays, but some of the quarterback’s bad decisions were inexplicable. The Chiefs ran into the right opponent to get an easy win, but this should also have been a blowout. There's plenty of work to do, especially with a road game against the Seattle Seahawks coming up.