Mike McDaniel's arrival as Chargers OC is a massive stylistic shift. Here's what changes:
The scheme: He brings a Shanahan-style offense — outside zone, heavy pre-snap motion, condensed formations, RB screens, and chunk plays off play-action (from the [Los Angeles Chargers Offensive Coordinator page]).
Biggest beneficiaries:
- Justin Herbert — gets a play-caller who ran the NFL's No. 1 offense in 2023 (401.3 yds/game). The system is famous for making life easy on the QB with layup throws off motion and play-action.
- Rookie RB Omarion Hampton — McDaniel's RBs feast. Raheem Mostert (age 31!) led the NFL with 18 rushing TDs in 2023 under him, and De'Von Achane became a superstar.
- Ladd McConkey — Sal Vetri pointed out that even if they run a lot, "they're going to throw 30-plus times a game and McConkey's going to be walking away with like eight targets a game" .
Continuity: The Chargers also brought in three former Miami assistants (OL Butch Barry, TEs Chandler Henley, RBs Max McCaffrey) — strong scheme carryover (from the [Chargers add Miami-tree assistants page]).
CBS graded the hire A+ — the best OC hire of the 2026 cycle. FantasyPros predicts the Chargers "could be a top five, if not the highest scoring unit in all of football in 2026" .