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It's been two months since the Chargers hired Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator. Head coach Jim Harbaugh got honest about how McDaniel has fit into the organization.
"Where to really start would be just how his mind is. Just how much football information, how good it is, his expertise at all positions, and on defense, too," Harbaugh said. "He's a real expert in how defenses play different coverages, schemes, fronts, blitz patterns.
"The receivers, the timing between the quarterback, offensive line play, the running backs being tied into the blocking scheme … really been doing a lot of listening, a lot of learning, just leaned in to how he sees football," Harbaugh continued.
One of the things Chargers fans are most looking forward to is McDaniel working alongside quarterback Justin Herbert.
"It's really great. And it is what I really thought it was, a perfect combination of Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert," Harbaugh said.
McDaniel's arrival in LA signaled a philosophy change for the team as it looks to emerge as a high-powered offense with a strong rushing attack in 2026.
Harbaugh broke down the incoming scheme change.
"It's probably two ways. One, it's just less. Less dropback protection. Straight dropback protection, the defensive line can transition into pass rush immediately," Harbaugh said. "The second way is the way the run game and the pass game, play action, are tied together. It takes a second more that you can see defensive linemen [thinking], 'Oh, now it's a pass.'
"And then they transition to their move or their bull or their pass rush. They're going from run defense to pass defense," Harbaugh added. "How valuable is a second? Very valuable."
And just like everyone else, Harbaugh is eager to witness the McDaniel-Herbert duo in action.
"That's going to bode really well for the Chargers," Harbaugh said.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Jim Harbaugh gets honest about Chargers OC Mike McDaniel
Continue reading...
"Where to really start would be just how his mind is. Just how much football information, how good it is, his expertise at all positions, and on defense, too," Harbaugh said. "He's a real expert in how defenses play different coverages, schemes, fronts, blitz patterns.
"The receivers, the timing between the quarterback, offensive line play, the running backs being tied into the blocking scheme … really been doing a lot of listening, a lot of learning, just leaned in to how he sees football," Harbaugh continued.
One of the things Chargers fans are most looking forward to is McDaniel working alongside quarterback Justin Herbert.
"It's really great. And it is what I really thought it was, a perfect combination of Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert," Harbaugh said.
Jim Harbaugh Details How Offensive Scheme Will Change With Mike McDaniel
McDaniel's arrival in LA signaled a philosophy change for the team as it looks to emerge as a high-powered offense with a strong rushing attack in 2026.
Harbaugh broke down the incoming scheme change.
"It's probably two ways. One, it's just less. Less dropback protection. Straight dropback protection, the defensive line can transition into pass rush immediately," Harbaugh said. "The second way is the way the run game and the pass game, play action, are tied together. It takes a second more that you can see defensive linemen [thinking], 'Oh, now it's a pass.'
"And then they transition to their move or their bull or their pass rush. They're going from run defense to pass defense," Harbaugh added. "How valuable is a second? Very valuable."
And just like everyone else, Harbaugh is eager to witness the McDaniel-Herbert duo in action.
"That's going to bode really well for the Chargers," Harbaugh said.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Jim Harbaugh gets honest about Chargers OC Mike McDaniel
Continue reading...
