Fantasy Alert, New Justin Herbert Rumors Reveal How Chargers QB Will Get 'Easy Yards' with McDaniel

Justin Herbert has been a fantasy football weapon for much of his career, but working with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could elevate the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback even more in 2026.

"He hasn't been in OTAs. He is expected back at some point. He's been in Europe with a pop star, kind of doing the whole thing. But he will be back and when he does, he's got Mike McDaniel there with him," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter. 

"I talked with somebody with the Chargers who said the big thing with McDaniel is he's great at manufacturing the layup plays, the layup passes. Herbert's going to be able to get some easy yards in this offense. They're looking forward to that because they know he can make the big play, can throw on the move."

Herbert has three seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards on his resume, including when he threw for 5,014 in 2021. He completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this past season while helping lead the Chargers to the playoffs.

If he can take advantage of those "layup plays" with McDaniel, he could easily see his yardage total well over 4,000 again during the upcoming season.

After all, it was McDaniel who helped orchestrate the offense when Tua Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023. Injuries and interceptions became concerns for Tagovailoa during his time with the Miami Dolphins, but that season was an indication of what a quarterback can do in McDaniel's offense.

And Herbert, who has an Offensive Rookie of the Year and two Pro Bowl selections on his resume, may be an even more talented thrower of the ball than Tagovailoa.

This pairing with McDaniel makes him all the more intriguing for fantasy football managers, especially since he just ran for a career-best 498 yards last season. 

Between the rushing production and the higher ceiling in the aerial attack with a new offense, Herbert could be one of the league's best fantasy quarterbacks in 2026 from the moment the Chargers take the field for their season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13.