The buzz around the Chargers’ new offense has quickly turned into buzz around Ladd McConkey.
With Mike McDaniel stepping in as offensive coordinator, the fit with Justin Herbert and Los Angeles’ pass-catching group has drawn plenty of attention. For McConkey, that attention comes with real hope attached. After a strong rookie season, the third-year receiver is trying to answer a quieter sophomore year, and plenty of people around the league think the new setup could put him right back on track in 2026.
Mina Kimes is firmly in that camp.
On July 10 during an appearance on NFL Live with ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, Kimes weighed in on what McDaniel could mean for the Chargers’ offense. “It to me, is a match made in heaven.”
Kimes said. “I love what it's going to do for the pass catchers.
I think Justin Herbert will thrive.”
That optimism starts with how the Chargers looked last season. The offense never really found its rhythm, and Los Angeles leaned on Herbert’s toughness and its defense just to get to the playoffs. McConkey, who had been Herbert’s top target as a rookie, saw his role shift when former offensive coordinator Greg Roman couldn’t fully mesh him with the return of Keenan Allen.
Kimes revisited that theme on her own podcast while previewing the AFC West with Yahoo Sports writer and NFL analyst Hayden Winks. The two dug into why 2025 went sideways for McConkey and why the signs point upward for 2026.
One of the biggest issues was the drop in first-read targets from Herbert, especially on third down. Allen’s return in 2025 brought back the familiar “third and Keenan” dynamic, and that naturally cut into the work McConkey had handled in 2024.
That change shows up in the numbers. Winks pointed out that McConkey’s catchable ball rate fell from 78 percent to 67 percent, which made his job “essentially 11 percent harder.” While that’s technically a Herbert stat, it also reflects the state of the offense last year.
Kimes tied those trends together by pointing to the offensive line. Injuries wrecked that unit in 2025, and once Herbert moved beyond his first read, he often had to scramble for his life. That helped explain why McConkey saw fewer catchable throws and fewer chances to make plays.
The case for a rebound is pretty straightforward: the new offense should clean up the problems that held McConkey back. The line has been rebuilt, Herbert should have more time, and McConkey is expected to get a bigger share of first-read opportunities.
McDaniel’s system also leans heavily on play action and the quick passing game, which suits McConkey’s ability to separate fast. That kind of structure can create more yards after the catch, another area where McConkey dipped in 2025 compared with his rookie year.
For Kimes and others around the league, the setup looks favorable. McConkey is heading into training camp with a chance to rise again, and the new offense appears built to help him do it.
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For the Saints, the fit makes obvious sense on paper. Chris Olave is the clear headliner, but the rest of the receiver room is young and light on experience, which is exactly the kind of situation where a proven route runner and steady veteran can matter. Allen is 34 now, but he still showed plenty last season with the Chargers, and if New Orleans keeps pressing forward, this is the kind of link that could get louder before it goes away. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Put Mike McDaniel On A Massive Prove It Stage
Mike McDaniel is getting a fresh start in Los Angeles, and it comes with a very familiar kind of pressure. After his run in Miami left people intrigued by the offense but unconvinced by the results, he now takes over as the Chargers offensive coordinator with Justin Herbert waiting for a system that can match his talent.
For McDaniel, this is more than a clean slate. The Chargers are giving him a chance to show his ideas still belong among the leagues best, and the fit with Herbert makes the assignment even more interesting. If this offense clicks, it could put McDaniel right back in the conversation as one of the NFLs top offensive minds. [Read more 🡒]