'Self-Inflicted… S--t,' Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh, McDaniel's Chargers Called Out by NFL Coach

The Los Angeles Chargers and first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel drew a stern rebuke from opposing coaches as their losing streak stretched to six games to open the 2026 NFL season.

The Athletic's Mike Sando reported the coaches believe McDaniel "installed the graduate-level version of his offense with all its shifts, motions and formations from Week 1."

One elaborated on the possible problem.

"There are a lot of formations and motions that he's gonna present to you," they told Sando. "I don't know if that's easy to operate for those guys or not. And then it's like an unquantifiable ripple effect — then they start having self-inflicted penalties and s--t like that."

The Chargers mustered just 259 yards of offense in Sunday's 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Along with committing two turnovers, they were flagged seven times for 59 yards.

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The result wasn't necessarily surprising since it was more of the same from Los Angeles. Still, you keep thinking something might click with the offense at some point given the combined presence of McDaniel, coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert.

McDaniel was the architect of some strong units in his one year as offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers and then coach of the Miami Dolphins. Herbert is arguably a better pure thrower than what he had in San Francisco and Miami as well.

One coach questioned whether this is simply a bad combo of QB and scheme.

"In Miami, when they were rolling, it was because of the explosive skill they had, and a phenomenal system," they said to Sando. "San Francisco rolls because of Brock Purdy. I just don't know if Herbert can handle that system. That is my take, and then couple that with their line being the worst we've seen."

In what's a common refrain for his NFL career, injuries to the offensive line aren't making Herbert's life easier in the pocket. That consideration doesn't fully explain why he's averaging 190.2 passing yards per game while ranking last in QBR (29.9) with a league-high eight interceptions.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported there's a "growing buzz" that Harbaugh will dismiss McDaniel "soon." If that happens, passing game coordinator Adam Gase would likely run the offense.

Los Angeles has a bye in Week 7, so this would be a good time to make a big move to the coaching staff if Harbaugh has any serious reservations.