The Chargers are wasting no time reshaping their offensive identity under new leadership. With Mike McDaniel stepping in as offensive coordinator, the team is doubling down on his vision by bringing in another familiar face from his Miami staff - offensive line coach Butch Barry.
Barry will take over a unit that’s in need of a reset. Mike Devlin held the job last season, but with the Chargers parting ways with both Devlin and offensive coordinator Greg Roman earlier this month, it’s clear the organization is making a clean break from the 2025 offensive approach.
Barry brings a track record that’s worth a closer look. He spent the last three seasons guiding the Dolphins’ offensive line, including a standout first year that saw Miami lead the league in total yards and finish second in scoring.
That kind of production doesn’t happen without strong line play - and Barry’s group was a key part of that offensive explosion. Quick sets, zone blocking, and a scheme that emphasized speed and timing - Barry helped execute the vision McDaniel brought with him from San Francisco.
Now, the Chargers are hoping that same synergy can be recreated in Los Angeles.
The last two seasons in Miami weren’t quite as electric. The Dolphins cooled off statistically and failed to reach the postseason, but Barry’s experience in managing a line through injuries and inconsistency will be valuable for a Chargers team that’s had its own share of ups and downs in the trenches.
Barry’s résumé stretches beyond Miami. He’s logged time with the Broncos, 49ers, Packers, and Buccaneers - a well-traveled coach who’s seen a variety of systems and locker rooms. That kind of background matters, especially when you’re trying to blend philosophies under a new head coach like Jim Harbaugh and an offensive mind like McDaniel.
For the Chargers, this move is about alignment. Barry knows what McDaniel wants from his offensive line - how to get linemen to the second level, how to create clean pockets with movement-based protection, and how to build a front that supports a dynamic, timing-based offense. With Harbaugh overseeing the big picture, the McDaniel-Barry reunion gives this staff a clear offensive identity to build around.
It’s early in the offseason, but the Chargers are already signaling that they’re not just tweaking around the edges. They’re building something new - and they’re bringing in coaches who’ve done it before.