The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Well, the winless Los Angeles Chargers are not going to do the same thing anymore.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles. The Chargers haven’t scored a touchdown on 27 straight drives, a drought spanning nine quarters.
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“One of the things I want to try is call plays from the box to kind of see adjustments for myself and communicate with position coaches appropriately what things we can focus on between series,” McDaniel told reporters Thursday.
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Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel reacts during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Nov. 1, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
With McDaniel calling the plays for star quarterback Justin Herbert, many thought the Chargers would have one of the best offenses in football entering the season. Instead, the Chargers’ offense has had minimal voltage.
The Chargers have scored just 14.1 points per game, the fewest in the NFL. McDaniel said the one thing coaches lose by working in the booth is face-to-face communication on the sideline, but he trusts the position coaches to set the tone.
“Seems like a good action to take based on how things have gone this year, and realistically something that I’ve only brought up because 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,” McDaniel said.
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Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel talks to quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The former Miami Dolphins head coach hasn’t coached from the booth since he was the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He compared sitting in the booth to watching film.
“It’s like watching tape. You train yourself over time to see the game on the field. One of the reasons I stand behind the ball so far is so that I can try to get a visual of all 22 [players], because [otherwise] you’re so close to the ball you can kind of have your periphery shut out,” McDaniel said.
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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel stand on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Nov. 1, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
“That’s not the case from the box. In an ideal world, if all things are equal and there’s no negative from not being on the field, you can see the game better from up there.”
The beleaguered offensive coordinator had better hope the change works because he is squarely on the hot seat. McDaniel said head coach Jim Harbaugh approved the switch.
The 0-7 Chargers will look to earn their first win of the season when they face the 2-4 Houston Texans on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
