San Diego’s prodigious passer has put up prolific numbers in the past, but will the new offensive guru be the one who finally pushes him to the next level?
By Matthew Serocki | June 8, 2026
Justin Herbert was a darling of the 2020 NFL Draft. While many projected Tua Tagovailoa as the favorite to be drafted first overall before the season, Cincinnati shocked the world by grabbing Joe Burrow with the top pick after he led LSU to the College Football National Championship.
Tagovailoa was selected fifth by the Dolphins, with Herbert clocking in at sixth with the Chargers. Along with Jordan Love, who was selected 26th overall by the Packers, the other three signal callers will be linked forever due to coming out in the same draft.
Burrow nearly won the Super Bowl in his second season under center. 2026 will see another connection between two of the first-round quarterbacks as former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will now helm the Chargers’ offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
McDaniel nabbed Miami’s head coaching spot in 2022 after a stint under Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. The Dolphins enjoyed success in the first two years under the bespectacled offensive guru, finishing sixth in 2022 and first overall in 2023 in total offense.
Tagovailoa’s two breakout seasons were impressive:
2022 (13 games): 3,458 yards passing, 25 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 105.5 quarterback rating, 64.8 completion percentage
2023 (17 games): 4,624 yards passing, 29 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 101.1 rating, 69.3 completion percentage
The numbers weren’t sustainable for a few reasons, as Tagovailoa proved to be injury-prone. Injuries derailed his momentum in both 2024 and 2025 as he managed to play only 11 and 14 games, respectively.
Even with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane, the offense stalled if defenses clamped down on even two of those options. Miami finished 26th and 27th in total offense over the last two seasons, leading to McDaniel’s firing.
While Tua was accurate and often hit his first read, he doesn’t possess the physical talents of Herbert. The Oregon product is listed at approximately 6′, 6″ tall and nearly 240 pounds compared to Tagovailoa’s 6′, 1″, 225-pound frame.
The weight difference could help stem the physical toll of sacks and numerous hits. Being five inches taller also helps Herbert see over offensive linemen and defenders.
Harbaugh favors a strong running game, and McDaniel grew his profile as a run game specialist under Shanahan. He helped Achane become a star and could do the same for second-year running back Omarion Hampton.
Herbert also has Ladd McConkey as a chain mover and Quention Johnston as the field stretcher. Oronde Gadsden Jr. had a promising rookie season, but the Chargers added former Browns tight end David Njoku in free agency.
McDaniel didn’t necessarily use two tight end sets to regularly pass to his tight ends, but with Gadsden and Njoku, that could add a new wrinkle with Herbert throwing them the ball. McDaniel will also bring his love of pre-snap motion to Los Angeles to confuse opposing defenses.
As is usually the case, any improvement or potential success will be tied to the health of the offensive line. Top linemen Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater can hold things down, but Alt played only six games in 2025. Slater missed the entire season.
It’s debatable how far the Chargers could have gone last year had both starters been healthy in the postseason. If the offensive line is even stable in 2026, McDaniel’s scheme could lead Herbert to top-five numbers.
Herbert survived last year with a less-than-average offensive line, but getting back two massive pieces in Alt and Slater should set Los Angeles up for success. Adding McDaniel’s mind to the sideline could also bring Herbert to the level many believe he can attain, a top-seven quarterback.
Cutting down on the 54 sacks from 2025 will lead to more time to throw, as will pre-snap motion. The Denver Broncos may have won the AFC West last year and were one game away from the Super Bowl.
With these changes in Los Angeles, the Broncos could be battling the Chargers tooth and nail all season for the division crown. McDaniel could prove to be the missing piece to put the Chargers over the top.
