Mike McDaniel blames himself for Chargers’ woes, remains confident of turnaround
Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel watches from the sideline during a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 20.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press)
Mike McDaniel was supposed to be the one who would finally unlock Justin Herbert‘s full potential.
Instead, the beleaguered Chargers offensive coordinator found himself having to answer for the team’s shortcomings Thursday in the wake of an 0-3 start that has jeopardized the team’s playoff hopes.
“I understand as the offensive coordinator and play-caller, that when things don’t work, I should take the blame,” McDaniel told reporters. “But, shoot, like, bottom line is we need to be better and no one cares how.
“Plenty of the time things are being done, individually, that are good enough to win. But then there’s way too often when it’s not 100% unilateral. Everyone has a part in it. No one is safe from the blame, but no one’s exclusive to blame, either, besides the guy putting together the offense and calling the plays. And that will forever be the case. I don’t shy away from that.”
Derwin James Jr. out for Chargers; Ladd McConkey active
Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. enters the field before a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Chargers star safety Derwin James Jr. is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
James was nursing a hamstring injury in practice last week. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who was dealing with a foot injury, is active for the game.
Here are the Chargers’ inactives:
QB DJ Uiagalelei (emergency QB)
OL Alex Harkey
OL Kayode Awosika
TE Charlie Kolar
WR Brenen Thompson
DT Dalvin Tomlinson
S Derwin James Jr.
From 0-3 to the playoffs: History offers Chargers some hope for a comeback
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes during a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 27. The Chargers are looking to earn their first win of the season Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
(Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images)
On one side there’s hope. On the other, history.
Three weeks is only a sliver of the NFL season; a backsliding team has plenty of time to correct its course.
That said, only seven teams in the Super Bowl era have rebounded from an 0-3 start to make the playoffs.
That’s a sobering statistic for the Chargers, Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, all winless so far. As for the 0-3 Miami Dolphins, well, that isn’t quite as shocking.
Recap: Chargers fall to 0-3 in loss to Bills
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert tries to avoid being sacked by Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau during the second half of the Chargers’ 24-16 loss Sunday.
(Adrian Kraus / Associated Press)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Cover one eye and the Chargers had a gem of a game Sunday, forcing five turnovers by the Buffalo Bills and shocking one of the best teams in football.
Open both eyes and an undeniable reality came into focus.
No matter how well their defense played, the split-personality Chargers didn’t have the offensive juice to capitalize on those takeaways.
Jim Harbaugh still trusts Mike McDaniel, wants Justin Herbert to ‘be better’
Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel walks on the sideline during a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers in August.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
It’s never good when NFL coaches on struggling teams have to publicly reaffirm their faith in members of their staff before the calendar turns to October — and that’s what Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh did on Monday.
Speaking to reporters in the wake of a 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Harbaugh was asked if he would consider taking some control away from offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel if the offense doesn’t improve.
“No, we trust Mike. We believe in Mike,” Harbaugh said.