Mike McDaniel Blames Himself for Chargers' 0-3 Start and Offensive Woes

Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel took full responsibility for the Chargers' 29th-ranked scoring offense following a loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel stated Thursday he is fully responsible for the team’s 0-3 start and offensive struggles. The Chargers currently rank 29th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 14.7, and are tied for the fifth-most turnovers in the league with six. During Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Chargers fell despite a plus-four turnover differential, a result McDaniel noted was a first in his coaching career.

Quarterback Justin Herbert currently holds a 27.4 QBR, the second-lowest mark in the league ahead of only Jameis Winston. Herbert also ranks second in the NFL in interceptions through three weeks. While McDaniel acknowledged that Herbert’s play must improve, he defended the quarterback, stating he now has a better understanding of the factors that lead to Herbert making successful plays.

McDaniel, who was hired this offseason after a four-year stint as the Miami Dolphins head coach, is tasked with improving a unit that scored only one touchdown across its last two playoff appearances. Despite the winless start, McDaniel cited his 2023 experience in Miami—where his offense scored 70 points in a single game—as evidence of NFL volatility. The Chargers travel to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon, an opponent McDaniel noted has lost only one of its last 12 games.