Mike McDaniel Shares Plans for Justin Herbert’s Development

Mike McDaniel recently discussed his approach to managing quarterback Justin Herbert’s workload for the upcoming 2026 season. As the new offensive coordinator for the Chargers, McDaniel emphasized the importance of portion control, aiming to strike a balance that could help Herbert shine.

During an hour-long press conference, McDaniel outlined his strategy, which involves reducing the amount of pressure on Herbert. “I think it’s crucial that we don’t place too much reliance on Justin to exceed our expectations,” he remarked. “One of our main goals is to give him a bit of breathing room to unleash his greatness when it’s necessary.”

Last season, Herbert had a solid performance, starting all 16 games and throwing for 3,727 yards, racking up 26 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He even rushed for 498 yards and scored a couple of touchdowns. However, his playoff debut against New England was a setback; he struggled with just 159 passing yards, a fumble, and six sacks in a disappointing 16-3 loss.

Reflecting on this, McDaniel indicated that one way to prevent such poor performances could be to remove some of Herbert’s superhero expectations now and then.

“Justin has an arsenal of impressive plays,” McDaniel commented. “As coaches, we can sometimes over-rely on that ability. There’s a standard way to achieve completions that any of our quarterbacks can manage.”

He went on to explain how asking for incredible plays too often can become overwhelming for any player. “The goal is to create an offense that’s efficient and manageable, one that even a less talented player could execute well,” he noted.

In further discussions, McDaniel shared that he and Herbert have already connected, leaving both feeling optimistic about future collaboration. “Every year, competitive athletes work on enhancing their skills,” he said, praising Herbert’s untapped potential, “He hasn’t even scratched the surface of his ability yet.”

Although Herbert was a significant factor in McDaniel’s decision to take the job, he also expressed deep respect for head coach Jim Harbaugh, stating that the opportunity to learn from him was too valuable to turn down.

Now, as McDaniel settles into his role, he aims to explore Herbert’s game footage and figure out how to balance quarterback responsibilities while encouraging teamwork and shared success.