Chargers OC McDaniel wants Herbert to throw faster

Chargers QB Justin Herbert's average time to throw was 2.93 seconds last season. New OC Mike McDaniel wants to cut this to 2.4 seconds.
By Newsroom | Sports, American Football |

Efficiency Drive Targets Time-to-Throw Reduction

New Los Angeles Chargers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel has articulated a primary objective: to elevate quarterback Justin Herbert's performance by refining his decision-making and execution under pressure. McDaniel's strategy centers on decreasing Herbert's average time to throw, a metric that has historically correlated with both success and struggles.

The core of McDaniel's plan involves minimizing the time Herbert holds the ball, aiming for quicker decisions and releases. This approach seeks to leverage Herbert's proficiency in faster-paced situations, where his completion percentage nears 80 percent when throwing within 2.4 seconds. Conversely, efficiency declines as the time to throw extends beyond three seconds, a period marked by a lower yardage-per-attempt rate and an increased susceptibility to sacks and interceptions.

McDaniel has explicitly stated his goal is to ensure Herbert is "playing the best football of his career." This involves focusing on Herbert's footwork and throwing speed, particularly in the transition from plays that extend into the intermediate timing window, roughly between 2.4 and 3.5 seconds. Last season, Herbert averaged 2.93 seconds to throw, a figure McDaniel intends to bring down to the critical 2.4-second mark. The offensive coordinator also emphasized a desire to move away from an over-reliance on Herbert's extraordinary, "above and beyond" plays.

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Scheme Integration and Protection Emphasis

McDaniel's offensive vision, honed during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins and their work with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, appears rooted in a system that prioritizes efficiency and ball security. His offenses have been described as inventive, with a run game built on zone concepts, particularly outside zone. The scheme is designed to tie the run game, pass game, and play-action together, potentially creating a faster-paced offense that minimizes "straight dropback protection," which Head Coach Jim Harbaugh noted can allow defensive linemen to transition into pass rush immediately.

"It's less dropback protection. The way the run game, pass game, and play action are tied together, it takes like a second—it's a second more that you can just see defensive linemen…" - Jim Harbaugh, Chargers Head Coach.

Harbaugh has indicated that McDaniel's scheme is intended to offer better protection for Herbert, thereby affording him more opportunities to succeed. This aligns with McDaniel's stated aim of making Herbert's life "easier," reducing the need for him to force throws into tight windows or take hits. The Dolphins' struggles when Tagovailoa was injured reportedly reinforced McDaniel's focus on player safety.

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Historical Context and Future Outlook

The Chargers formally named McDaniel as offensive coordinator in January 2026, following his four-year stint leading the Miami Dolphins. His decision to join the Chargers was influenced by the opportunity to work with Jim Harbaugh and a respect for Chargers' offensive innovators like Sid Gillman and Don Coryell. General Manager Joe Hortiz has expressed confidence that Herbert will "take off" in McDaniel's system, with early indicators including Justin Herbert's presence in 2026 NFL MVP odds. McDaniel's approach is characterized by a reliance on thorough preparation and structured "route families" designed to exploit defensive vulnerabilities regardless of adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main goal of the new Chargers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel?
Mike McDaniel wants to make quarterback Justin Herbert play better by making him decide and throw the ball faster. This means less time holding the ball and quicker decisions.
Q: How will Mike McDaniel try to make Justin Herbert throw faster?
McDaniel will focus on Herbert's footwork and how fast he throws the ball. He wants to get the ball out quicker, especially on plays that take a bit longer.
Q: Why does Mike McDaniel want Justin Herbert to throw faster?
When Herbert throws the ball within 2.4 seconds, his completion rate is almost 80 percent. When he holds it longer, he is more likely to be sacked or throw an interception, and gets fewer yards.
Q: What kind of offense does Mike McDaniel plan to run with the Chargers?
McDaniel's offense uses a fast-paced run game and play-action passes. This helps protect Herbert by not having him in 'straight dropback protection' for too long, which gives defensive players less time to rush him.
Q: What does Coach Jim Harbaugh think about McDaniel's plan?
Coach Jim Harbaugh believes McDaniel's scheme will help protect Herbert better. He said the way the run and pass games are tied together gives players more time to see the field.
Q: When did Mike McDaniel become the Chargers' Offensive Coordinator?
Mike McDaniel was named the Offensive Coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in January 2026. He previously worked with the Miami Dolphins for four years.