Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel announced Thursday he will begin calling plays from the coaching booth rather than the sideline, a move aimed at reversing the NFL's worst offense through seven weeks of the 2026 season. The Chargers enter Week 9 with an 0-7 record, ranking last in points per game (14.1), 28th in total yards (288.3), and 30th in yards per play. They have committed a league-high 17 turnovers and have gone 27 consecutive drives without a touchdown, last reaching the end zone in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.
"One of the things I talked with [Jim Harbaugh] about, one of the things that I want to try is call plays from the box to kind of see adjustments for myself and communicate to the position coaches appropriately what we can focus on between series," McDaniel told reporters. "I'm being very open-minded with all things. Not trying to prove or justify anything that ultimately leads to underwhelming results."
Quarterback Justin Herbert has regressed sharply under McDaniel, completing 61.8% of his passes for 1,398 yards with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions through seven games. Herbert has thrown six turnovers and zero touchdowns in the fourth quarter this season. The Chargers host the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium in Week 9; Houston's defense has allowed three 30-point games and three 300-yard passers so far in 2026.
The booth move is widely viewed as a last-ditch effort. If the offense fails to improve against the Texans, speculation grows that head coach Jim Harbaugh may fire McDaniel before the team's Week 10 Monday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
