Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel announced Thursday that he will begin calling plays from the coaching booth rather than the sideline starting with the team's Week 9 matchup against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium.
The move comes after the Chargers have opened the 2026 season 0-7, with the offense ranking last in the NFL in points per game (14.1), 28th in total yards per game (288.3), and 30th in yards per play. The unit has gone 27 consecutive drives without a touchdown, last scoring in the third quarter of Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has regressed under McDaniel, completing 61.8% of his passes for 1,398 yards with five touchdowns and ten interceptions through seven games. Herbert has thrown six turnovers and zero touchdowns in the fourth quarter this season.
McDaniel said the change aims to give him a better view of defensive adjustments and improve communication with position coaches between series. He expressed confidence in his sideline staff to maintain the tone on the field.
Analysts view the booth move as a last-ditch effort. If the offense fails to improve against a Texans defense that has allowed three 30-point games and three 300-yard passers this season, McDaniel's tenure could be in jeopardy before the Chargers' Week 10 Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens.
