Mike McDaniel is making a notable change in how he’ll handle game day, and it comes at a time when the Los Angeles Chargers offense badly needs one.
The offensive coordinator said Thursday that he plans to call plays from the booth moving forward instead of staying on the sideline, where he has been for the rest of the season. McDaniel explained the decision as a way to get a better look at what’s happening on the field and improve how he communicates with the rest of the staff.
"One of the things that you know I talked with coach about, one of the things I want to try is go or call plays from the box to kind of see adjustments for myself and communicate to the position coaches appropriately, you know, what things that we can focus on between series and you know that's the latest in things," McDaniel said.
He said the move feels like the right one based on how the year has gone so far, and he pointed to his confidence in the rest of the offensive staff as part of the reason he’s comfortable making the switch.
"Seems like a a a a good action to take based on, how things have gone this year. And realistically, something that I've only brought up because I've observed, I think I'm very confident in the rest of the offensive coaching staff and how they're able to set the tone and communicate information on the sidelines. So I feel a little bit more comfortable to try that when you can see, I guess, the whole field from that, you know, top view," McDaniel added.
The change gives McDaniel a wider view of the game and, in theory, a better chance to identify what’s breaking down from series to series. It also puts more emphasis on the communication chain between the booth and the sideline, with McDaniel trusting the position coaches to handle things on the field while he relays what needs to change.
He’ll also be able to work with head coach Jim Harbaugh on any adjustments that need to be made. Harbaugh and McDaniel had to agree to the move, and it will be worth watching how the setup functions once the game starts.
The timing matters, too, because the Chargers are heading into a matchup with the Houston Texans, who are 2-5 and coming off a bye. Los Angeles needs the offense to do its part if it wants to win, and that starts with giving quarterback Justin Herbert enough protection up front.
That won’t be easy. The Texans bring two dangerous edge rushers in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, which makes the battle in the trenches a major part of the story this week.
For the Chargers, what happens on offense may decide everything - whether they get their first win or slide to 0-8 and move even closer to the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
In Other News...
Chargers Could Face A Real Ladd McConkey Deadline Debate
The Steelers push to improve their receiver room before the Nov. 10 trade deadline has created a ripple effect that reaches all the way back to Los Angeles. Pittsburgh is sitting at 6-2 and leading the AFC North heading into its bye week, but the discussion around its roster still circles one familiar need: another pass catcher who can help keep the offense on track down the stretch.
For the Chargers, that kind of market chatter naturally turns into a larger question about how far they would go if a serious offer came along for Ladd McConkey. He has become the sort of player teams do not casually shop, and any conversation about moving him would have to clear a high bar in both draft compensation and immediate help at receiver. With the deadline approaching, the real tension is not whether interest exists, but whether the Chargers would ever find a deal that makes sense on both sides. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face A Trade Deadline Test They Cant Keep Dodging
The Chargers are staring at one of those deadline decisions that can define how a season is remembered, and Khalil Mack sits right in the middle of it. With the team still trying to steady itself amid its current struggles, the idea of moving a veteran pass rusher of Macks stature is no longer just a hypothetical front-office exercise. It is the kind of call contenders make when they are trying to balance present urgency against long-term value.
Macks name has surfaced in trade chatter because his profile could bring back meaningful help for a team that needs to think carefully about every asset. At the same time, there has been no official move or public decision, which leaves the Chargers in the familiar spot of having to answer for a deadline question before they are ready to answer it. For now, the uncertainty hangs over a roster that could use clarity, and over a player whose future remains one of the most watched storylines in the building. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face A Trade Deadline Choice As RB Market Heats Up
With the NFL trade deadline four days away, the market around Indianapolis is already drawing plenty of attention, and that matters for teams like the Chargers that are weighing whether to get involved. The Colts are fielding interest in Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs and Grover Stewart, with Taylor at the center of the buzz as several clubs scan the board for help and try to decide how aggressive they want to be.
For the Chargers, the bigger question is whether the right move is to chase a running back upgrade or stay patient and trust the roster they have. Taylors price tag is expected to be steep, and while the Giants, Broncos and Vikings have been linked to the conversation, no deal has been completed yet. Around the league, other teams are still kicking around possibilities, which means the next few days could bring a lot of noise before anything actually breaks. [Read more 🡒]