Justin Herbert didn’t need much time to make a strong first impression when the Chargers opened fall camp for the 2026 season. Even with a new offensive setup and a very different ask from the quarterback position, Herbert showed up looking smooth, confident, and ready to go.
That matters because this offseason brought a major shift for Los Angeles. The Chargers brought in Mike McDaniel to run the offense, and he arrived with a system he has been tied to for twenty years. It’s built around a wide zone rushing attack, but it also puts more on the quarterback: throw with anticipation, get the ball out fast, and help receivers work in space for yards after the catch.
For Herbert, that meant changing more than just play calls. It meant adjusting his footwork and leaning less on the pure arm talent that has defined so much of his career.
That kind of change is no small thing for a quarterback seven years into the league. Habits run deep, and mechanics do too.
Herbert spent OTAs working on that new footwork, especially a different shotgun stance. He was also seen going through drills with a weighted ball instead of a football, part of the process of reshaping how he operates in the new scheme.
There was some expectation that he might ease back into throwing once camp started and continue using time away from it to sharpen the new mechanics. Instead, after the break between OTAs and camp - and after Herbert’s big engagement announcement - he returned and immediately drew praise from McDaniel.
"I'm very clear on the front end that my expectation is that it's cleaner when we come back," McDaniel said. "He took the opportunity to impress me and fire me up in another way because he is entering into owning things that we just introduced to him in the spring."
McDaniel’s comments matched what was visible on the field: Herbert looked comfortable with the new movement and the demands of the offense from the jump. A big part of that, according to the report, came from the time he spent during the break working with his younger brother Patrick on the footwork.
Patrick Herbert, who played tight end at Oregon and is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, gave Justin a built-in training partner back home. That extra work appears to have paid off. By the time camp opened, Herbert was already moving like a quarterback who had put in the reps and was ready for the next step.
In Other News...
Chargers Rookie Already Facing Pressure In A Crucial Week 1 Battle
The Chargers entered camp with the kind of interior line questions that tend to linger until the pads come on and the pecking order starts to settle. Jake Slaughter, the rookie offensive lineman they drafted, has been talked about as a possible answer at guard, and coaches have sounded upbeat about his chances to make that transition and potentially push for a Week 1 role.
For now, though, the picture is not as clean as the optimism around him. Slaughter is spending time at center as well as guard, and there is already outside skepticism about whether he can claim an immediate starting job in time. With other options in the mix, the real test for the rookie is not just learning one spot, but proving he can force his way into the first-team conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Herbert May Finally Get What The Chargers Offense Has Lacked
Justin Herberts offseason has already looked different in one important way, with the Chargers quarterback stepping into a new chapter off the field after getting engaged to singer Madison Beer. Herbert has called it a life-changing experience, and while that obviously has nothing to do with protections or route concepts, it does speak to a player who seems settled as he heads into a crucial stretch of his career. The timing also matters for a Chargers offense that has spent too much time asking Herbert to do heavy lifting on his own.
Now hes pairing with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose approach is built around quicker throws and taking pressure off the quarterback. McDaniels previous offenses in Miami did that well, ranking near the top of the league in limiting quarterback pressure while also generating efficient production on a play-by-play basis. For a team hoping Herbert can be more protected and the offense more sustainable, that philosophy is the kind of change the Chargers have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Tight End Overhaul Could Become A Real Weapon For Justin Herbert
The Chargers spent the offseason reworking the tight end room in a way that could change how Justin Herbert is supported on Sundays. They brought in Charlie Kolar and David Njoku, then added Oronde Gadsden II in the draft after Pro Football Focus analysts ranked him 23rd among tight ends. Gadsden arrives with a promising rookie rsum, including 664 receiving yards and 49 catches, while Kolar was brought in to help shore up the blocking side of the position.
Mike McDaniels arrival as offensive coordinator gives the overhaul a clearer purpose, since the Chargers clearly want to lean into the different things each tight end can do. If the group settles in quickly, Herbert could have a more varied set of options than he has had in recent seasons, with pass-catching ability and in-line help both available in the same room. The only real question now is how much of that new structure turns into a consistent weekly advantage once the games start. [Read more 🡒]