Adam Gase Returns to the NFL as Chargers’ Passing Game Assistant Under Jim Harbaugh
After a few years away from the NFL sidelines, Adam Gase is stepping back into the league-this time in a more behind-the-scenes role. The former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets has been hired by the Los Angeles Chargers to oversee the passing game, joining Jim Harbaugh’s newly assembled staff.
It’s a notable return for Gase, who hasn’t coached since 2020, when his tenure with the Jets ended after a 2-14 season. While he’s not returning as a head coach or even a coordinator, this move signals a fresh chapter-and perhaps a shot at redemption-in a career that’s seen both highs and lows.
Gase will work under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who himself is coming off a head coaching stint with the Dolphins. The pairing is intriguing, to say the least. Both have worn the head coach headset in Miami, and now they’ll be collaborating in Los Angeles to help reshape a Chargers offense that’s been searching for consistency.
A Career with Peaks and Valleys
At 47, Gase brings a deep well of experience to the Chargers. A native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, he got his start in the college ranks at LSU before jumping into the NFL in 2005. His early résumé reads like a tour of offensive think tanks: Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears-all stops where he cut his teeth as an offensive assistant.
But it was in Denver where Gase truly made his name. As offensive coordinator in 2013, he helped guide the Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII and orchestrated one of the most prolific passing seasons in league history with Peyton Manning under center. That campaign didn’t end in a ring, but it cemented Gase’s reputation as a sharp offensive mind.
That reputation earned him his first head coaching opportunity with the Dolphins in 2016. And right out of the gate, Gase delivered.
Miami went 10-6 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. But the momentum didn’t last.
The Dolphins regressed to 6-10 in 2017 and 7-9 in 2018, and Gase was let go after three seasons.
The Jets quickly scooped him up, hoping he could unlock the potential of then-franchise quarterback Sam Darnold. There were flashes of promise-a 6-2 finish to the 2019 season after a rough start-but the 2020 campaign unraveled fast. The Jets opened 0-13 and finished 2-14, leading to Gase’s dismissal after compiling a 9-23 record in New York.
A New Role, A New Opportunity
Now, Gase is back-but in a role that plays more to his strengths. As the Chargers’ passing game assistant, he won’t have the weight of the entire operation on his shoulders. Instead, he’ll focus on what he’s long been known for: designing and refining the aerial attack.
With Harbaugh bringing his no-nonsense leadership style to L.A. and McDaniel adding his creative offensive flair, Gase’s experience could be a valuable piece of the puzzle. He’s worked with Hall of Famers, weathered tough rebuilds, and seen the game from multiple vantage points. That kind of perspective doesn’t just vanish-it evolves.
For the Chargers, this is a low-risk, high-upside addition to a staff that’s clearly being built with intention. And for Gase, it’s a chance to reestablish himself in a league that’s always looking for the next edge in offensive innovation.
He may not be calling plays or running the show, but make no mistake-Adam Gase is back in the NFL, and he’s got something to prove.