Chargers' Mike McDaniel Taking Unusual Approach to Justin Herbert Relationship

Justin Herbert is already considered one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Chargers QB is in a class of only five or six truly elite passers. But that doesn't mean he can't still learn some new tricks. And that's exactly what new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is teaching him, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim.

"McDaniel is teaching Herbert new ways to play the position to take his game to another level," Rhim wrote. "That begins with Herbert’s footwork and anticipatory throwing. McDaniel wants Herbert to rely less on his big arm and getting the ball out in 2.4 seconds or less, where he has been successful in his career.

"That process has manifested with Herbert taking days off from practice to focus solely on his footwork. Once a week during OTAs and for the foreseeable future, Herbert will use a green water ball to practice throwing motion and only use a football for handoffs and pitches."

Herbert is already one of the best throwers of the football this decade.

He holds the NFL record for the most passing yards through his first three NFL seasons (14,089) and the second-most touchdown passes through his first three seasons (94), trailing only Dan Marino (96). Herbert also has the fourth-most passing yards (24,820) and fifth-most touchdowns (163) since 2020.

Making any big changes to Herbert’s mechanics at this point in his career seem like an awfully big gamble. However, the 28-year-old QB is embracing McDaniel's offensive innovations and a different approach to the game.

"It’s only going to help us, getting the ball out in a position where [receivers] can turn up the field and make something happen," Herbert said. "… It helps with the offensive line. It’s going to be good for our offense."

McDaniel has a reputation as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL.

He got a career year out of Tua Tagovailoa (4,624 yards passing, 29 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 69.3 completion percentage, 101.1 passer rating), and he also coached a Jimmy Garoppolo-led San Francisco 49ers offense to the No. 7 unit in the NFL (even without a 1,000-yard rusher).

The Chargers already have the makings of a top-10 offense already with Herbert, running back Omarion Hampton, wide receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre Harris, plus tight end Davis Njoku and Orande Gadsden, and with McDaniel adding some new wrinkles, L.A.'s offense will be a problem for opposing defensive coordinators.

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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM.