Ladd McConkey 'Fired Up' Mike McDaniel Hired as OC for Justin Herbert, Harbaugh, Chargers' Offense

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is excited about the opportunity to work with new offensive coordinator (and ex-Miami Dolphins head coach) Mike McDaniel, per comments made to ESPN's Kris Rhim.

"I think it's going to be huge for Justin, for the receivers, for the whole entire offense," McConkey told ESPN. "So when I saw he got hired, I was fired up."

McDaniel took over the Dolphins as head coach in 2022 after five years with the San Francisco 49ers (run game coordinator from 2017-2020 and offensive coordinator in 2021).

Miami jumped from 22nd to 11th in points per game in 2022 and then made another huge scoring leap in 2023 (second in the league at 496 total points). The Dolphins even scored 70 points in one game (a 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos).

The Dolphins' offense regressed over the past two years (22nd and 25th in scoring). Of note, starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa notably missed six games in 2024 (four due a concussion, two due to a hip injury), and star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was limited all of 2024 with a wrist injury he played through before he missed all but three games this past season with a devastating knee injury.

Miami parted ways with McDaniel after the 2025 season, but he quickly found a new home in L.A., which was in the market for a new offensive coordinator after the team parted ways with Greg Roman.

McDaniel has exciting talent to work with, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, who will get offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back from injury. McConkey was a 1,000-yard receiver in his 2024 rookie year (82 catches, 1,149 yards, seven touchdowns) and could very well get back to those figures or better next year after a down 2025 (66/789/6).

Other players such as running back Omarion Hampton, wide receiver Quentin Johnston and tight end Oronde Gadsden II could make improvements.

McConkey has every reason to be "fired up," ultimately, as the Chargers look to take the next step and make a deep playoff run after two straight 11-win seasons under Harbaugh ended with AFC Wild Card losses.