Chargers’ 0-6 Collapse Raises Herbert-McDaniel Questions

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Chargers’ 0-6 Start Raises Questions About Herbert and McDaniel’s Offense

The Chargers’ 0-6 start is one of the season’s biggest shocks. Jim Harbaugh was considered a strong coach, while Justin Herbert was viewed as a talented quarterback, but the team now appears to have little hope of turning its season around.

When the Chargers started 0-2, their difficult schedule offered some reason for optimism. The expectation was that they would still find a way to win a few games, but they have not won since, leaving their season effectively over.

The struggles have also renewed questions about Mike McDaniel. During his first year in Miami, Tyreek Hill remained an elite offensive weapon and elevated the players around him. As Hill began to struggle on and off the field, the Dolphins’ offense also appeared to fall apart.

However, blaming McDaniel alone may be short-sighted. His offense relies on motion, formations and quick decisions from the quarterback. Tua was able to make those decisions at the right time when he had the necessary weapons around him.

The argument is that Herbert’s athletic ability and arm strength may not make him the right quarterback for that system. If the offense requires rapid reads of linebackers and defensive movement, Herbert has looked uncomfortable from the beginning.

That raises another concern: Why was the potential mismatch not identified earlier? The Chargers had training camp and the preseason to determine whether McDaniel’s offense suited Herbert. Waiting until several weeks into the season to adjust suggests it may have been a bad marriage from the start.

There is still hope that Herbert can break out of his slump, but McDaniel’s future may depend on finding a quarterback who is better suited to his system.