The Los Angeles Chargers sharing a home with the Los Angeles Rams might be hard if you're battling for headlines, but this team has the chance to be just as explosive in 2026.Why? Mike McDaniel joined Jim Harbaugh's staff in L.A.as the team's new offensive coordinator, and he hasn't shied away from his feelings about his quarterback, Justin Herbert, in the slightest throughout training camp.
Simply put, he's obsessed with what Herbert can do, to the point where he's expected to be opening up previously locked plays in his explosive scheme.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSIBLE.DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers look on before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug.
20, 2026.(Getty Images)Former Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has faith his old squad will be back in the playoffs this season, and McDaniel will be a major reason why they could be contending far beyond just representing the AFC come Wild Card weekend."I think Mike McDaniel has made the best decision of his career," Merriman told OutKick in a recent interview.
"That’s even outside of leaving the San Francisco 49ers.I think they had something fun, an explosive offense at one time with [Jaylen] Waddle, Tyreek Hill and things like that out in Miami.
But he had an opportunity to get a head coaching job at a couple of places, and he didn’t feel it was right."So, what happens is you take the best position that puts you back in the driver’s seat after this next year or two so you can go take the job you want."When McDaniel joined the Chargers, he said he was "geeked" to work with Herbert, whom he believes "hasn't neared the ceiling to what he's capable of." That's saying something considering Herbert has thrown for 5,000 yards in his career, and has proven to be among the top talents in the NFL at quarterback.CHARGERS QUARTERBACK JUSTIN...