Mike McDaniel met reporters for the first time in Southern California on Tuesday.

The new Chargers Offensive Coordinator hit a number of topics as he spoke for 40-plus minutes at The Bolt.

Here are five takeaways from McDaniel's press conference:

1. Ready to work with Justin Herbert

McDaniel didn't take long to bring up Justin Herbert when describing why he wanted to land with the Chargers.

"Got a quarterback who I've always admired," McDaniel said Tuesday.

McDaniel said he and the Chargers franchise quarterback spoke by phone last week to get an early jump on getting to know each other and mapping out the offseason.

And McDaniel made it clear that he senses Herbert is more than fired up to work together.

"He was in high spirits and just excited about attacking something. You lose in the playoffs, in the first round, it's a lot of work that you feel kind of like you have an empty stomach," McDaniel said. "That hunger, I could hear it in his voice.

"He was excited to start a new chapter and to really attack the process of the offseason to be our best versions of ourselves come next fall. It was enthusiastic," McDaniel added. "I was in a room talking in a really loud inside voice out of passion and I think he recognized that. We were both geeked for the future and the possibilities that it brings."

McDaniel later said something that should make opposing defenses perk up.

"I think he hasn't neared the ceiling of what he's capable of," McDaniel said.

Herbert has been plenty successful through six seasons, amassing nearly 25,000 passing touchdowns, 160-plus touchdown passes, a pair of Pro Bowl nods and plenty of individual accolades.

And he's also been among the league's most clutch players, something McDaniel saw firsthand in Miami in Week 6 of the 2025 season when the quarterback shrugged off a sack and found Ladd McConkey to set the Bolts up for a last-second win.

"I've been in the National Football League for 19 years. In that process, you are fortunate to share the field with guys that can just, in an 11-on-11 game, they can really take over and really put the team on their back," McDaniel said. "That was the latest and greatest example of that, on the short end of the stick.

"I think that's what's so exciting about the horizon, what we have in store for ourselves moving forward. It's rare that you can come up with football plays that has an answer if the defense, gets paid too, and they make the perfect call," McDaniel added.

But the focal point of McDaniel's press conference — a talking point that he reiterated multiple times — is that he doesn't want Herbert to have to make such heroic plays in order for the Chargers to win games.

"It'll be one of the first things that we'll try to do, take a little off his plate so he is free to do that when his greatness is required," McDaniel said. "There's probably a plethora of examples, you guys can go in your rolodex, as far as plays he's made that you assume others can't.

"In those situations when you're on the sidelines and you're playing against it, it's a lonely feeling when there isn't a play call defensively that can take this guy's game away," McDaniel added.

The Chargers saw Herbert's prowess often in 2025, whether it was a that play in Miami or thrilling comeback home wins over the Broncos and Eagles.

Herbert ran for a career-high 498 yards in 2025 but much of it wasn't by design. Instead, it was him playing off schedule as the pocket heated up around him.

Simply put, McDaniel said it's on him to scheme up quick and easy completions to both get Herbert in a rhythm and alos keep him clean in the pocket.

"There's a lot of incredible plays Justin has made, that he's firmly capable [of making]. Sometimes as a coach you can rely upon that a little too much," McDaniel said. "There's schematic ways to get completions that maybe all three quarterbacks on the roster would be capable of doing.

"Easier completions, kind of not putting so much … it can be taxing over time for a player to necessitate an incredible play too often to be able to score points and win football games," McDaniel added. "So, you try to take it off of them by low-cost, high-reward offense that he's firmly capable of doing but also maybe a lesser talent would be capable of doing as well."

Is there a specific example of what that looks like?

McDaniel then showcased his football IQ by launching into a long-winded answer about defenses trying to hide their pre-snap coverage, a tactic that could allow space to open up on the field as they then rotate to their post-snap picture.

Quick throws into that space, McDaniel, could also negate a ferocious pass rush.

"You can take advantage of that space with quick throws and getting the ball in and out," McDaniel said. "The pass rush, one of the best blockers you can have is an open, eligible No. 1 [receiving option] in a quick amount of time.

"Even the best pass rushers, it takes time to beat offensive linemen and if you beat pass rush with a throw, it can frustrate opponents and get pass rushers to take chances and void gaps that Justin — he's also really fast — so if you void pass-rush lanes and abandon them early because of frustration and he's getting the ball out too quick, his skillsets afford you to make people pay in that way as well," McDaniel continued.

"So, I would say some quicker completions," McDaniel added. "We'll still pump the ball down the field, but having that at your disposal can really help a quarterback and really help pass protection."

To sum it up: McDaniel wants to create simple and easy opportunities for Herbert that perhaps any quarterback in the league could make. And then build off that to enhance the quarterback's immense skillset.

Of course, there's also the issue of keeping Herbert healthy for an entire season.

Herbert was sacked 54 times in 2025, the second-highest total in the league, and also faced a league-high 263 pressures.

McDaniel said the core belief of his offense is protecting the quarterback to ensure he's available for a full season plus the playoffs.

"You're trying to make sure you have a coordinated execution to keep him upright and keep him from getting hit in order to have completions that are a little more low-cost where you can get the ball out quicker," McDaniel began.

"Over the course of my time in the National Football League, all those years were within the same system, and you're kind of evolving to your individual players, but a common denominator through all those is how to make sure your quarterback can be healthy and not be in vulnerable positions too often," McDaniel continued.

"[Herbert] has an incredible ability to go off schedule but I think I'll be firmly coaching away from the off schedule stuff at the front end because he can always go back to that comfort zone as you're working on other things," McDaniel added. "I think a primary focus on how to have offense without putting them in a vulnerable position will be a starting point and we'll extrapolate from that."

McDaniel said quarterback movement outside of the pocket will be key to that endeavor, but said there's plenty of time to focus on how it will all come together.

For now, McDaniel said he's "fired up" to be with the Bolts. And Herbert is at the top of the list of reasons why.

"I think he has different skills ... he is unique to any player I've coached," McDaniel said.

He later added: "I'm really excited because I think his best football is in front of him, not behind him."

2. Plenty of respect for Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh was in attendance at McDaniel's introductory press conference Tuesday.

So, too, were Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz, Chargers President of Football Operations John Spanos and Chargers President of Business Operations A.G. Spanos.

But although Harbaugh sat in the back of the room, McDaniel emphasized how much Harbaugh's sway helped him take the job.

"It started with Coach Harbaugh," McDaniel said.

McDaniel later shared the longtime respect he's garnered for Harbaugh that has evolved over nearly two decades in the NFL.

"Winning and adaptation, I would say are the two things that pop off," McDaniel said. "It's hard to have success in football, particularly the National Football League.

"I'm sure when you're leading a gigantic program, such as Coach Harbaugh did with Michigan, it feels the same as the National Football League," McDaniel added. "You have all these problems to solve and to have success over time that means there's an adaptability that I think is super important in life in general, but particularly the state that football is in and how you have to evolve to keep a competitive edge."

McDaniel even dug into his memory bank to express his sentiment for Harbaugh, noting how players always seem to get better and love playing for the Chargers Head Coach.

And how Harbaugh's teams are simply a pain in the ass to play against.

"I think I always admire being in the profession of coaching, you can see when players are better served with the time spent with a coach, when you can tell you made a difference in their lives, who they are as people, those things are why you get into coaching," McDaniel said. "There's only a certain amount of people that are actually able to execute that and capture that. Coach Harbaugh has done that over an extended period of time.

"Multiple times I've been on the losing side of it and been able to feel what his teams play like in 2011 versus what they play like in 2025," McDaniel added. "That consistency and commonality with those teams over that vastly different period of time I think speaks to who he is and his bottom lines and where his compass is and his direction and everything that he does, where it comes from."

Back in 2011, McDaniel was an offensive assistant in Washington when Harbaugh was on the opposite sideline in his first season as the 49ers Head Coach.

San Francisco picked up a gritty 19-11 road win that saw Harbaugh's squad rack up nearly 150 rushing yards and force three turnovers on defense.

Harbaugh's 49ers then picked up wins over Washington when McDaniel was still on staff in 2013 and 2014. Of course, there was also the Chargers thrilling rally over the Dolphins this past season.

"So, if you can't beat them, join them I guess," McDaniel quipped.

Overall, the 42-year-old McDaniel said he's excited to learn under Harbaugh, who will be in his seventh season as an NFL head coach in 2026.

"Selfishly, I think the end result is me being a better coach, better father and a better husband," McDaniel said. "I think those things work hand in hand to how you're executing professionally."

And what about their well-known personalities?

McDaniel showcased his trademark humor Tuesday by saying he's certain the pair will work well together.

"I feel like we're the same guy. He's just taller," McDaniel said. "I think that's the cool thing, like everybody else, is that we're excited for that.

"I think one thing we share is that Jim has never patterned himself after somebody and he's his own person. I would say that hopefully I would be described in a similar fashion," McDaniel continued.

"Who knows? I might be a 100 percent Dockers coach? The options are unlimited," McDaniel added. "He's already tried to get me on transitioned lenses but I've held off. I'm not 50 yet."

McDaniel also provided an update on where things stand with the Chargers search for an offensive line coach, or if there were more potential staff changes on the way.

"Yeah, working through that staff process right now. There's definitely targeted individuals that we're working through to work with," McDaniel said.

He later added: "We're still looking at that. It's early but going through each and every coach and making sure it's the right fit for where we are moving forward."

3. An enhanced run game

Two years ago, Harbaugh held his own introductory press conference and outlined what he wants his offense to be all about.

Back then, Harbaugh emphasized an offense that "is going to be able to drive, put points on the board and be physical, especially up front."

That vision, for a myriad of reasons, has not yet materialized here in Southern California.

Enter McDaniel, who has designed some of the most cutting-edge run games during his time in the NFL.

How will the shared vision for a strong run game come together?

"He likes to run the ball and I am, by trade, I spent a good portion of my career being in charge of the run game and being the run game coordinator," McDaniel said. "I think you're always playing to your skillsets and each team that you're on has a different array of them.

"I think some of my run game prowess in the past has been different solutions for light boxes when you're adept to pass, to run the ball," McDaniel added. "That core foundational belief that football is inside out, prioritizing the line of scrimmage play and being able to win games when you have a lead with nine minutes to go in the game and you can keep the defense off the field. I think those types of things, that's where the like-minded football 101, core values of football kind of overlap."

McDaniel was the 49ers Offensive Coordinator in 2021 after spending the previous three seasons as the team's Run Game Coordinator.

Over those four years, the 49ers racked up the sixth-most rushing yards (8,538), were tied for seventh with 237 total explosive rushes of 10-plus yards and had the ninth-most rushing touchdowns (71).

But McDaniel also made it clear that he wants to bring fresh and modern ideas to the Chargers run game, something he indicated Harbaugh is on board with.

"I think Jim appreciates the evolution of the game and different ways you can try to attack how people are defending you," McDaniel said. "That's always evolving and that hunger and thirst for that is something I've always had in my back pocket pushing me forward."

4. Ready for Slater & Alt's return

McDaniel was asked early on in his press conference about what he sees on the offensive roster right now.

He quickly pointed out the "two great tackles coming back."

Rashawn Slater missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury. Joe Alt suffered an ankle injury that limited him to just six games but was enough to earn Pro Bowl honors.

Both players said after the 2025 season that they have plenty of motivation for the months and years ahead.

"There's definitely been some chitchat about that," Alt said with a smile.

Slater added: "[We're] still sharing ideas and just talking about ball and things we're going to improve on and our plans for next year."

What does McDaniel see from the Pro Bowl tackles?

While the new Offensive Coordinator didn't get into specific details, he simply said having Slater and Alt at his disposal will help keep Herbert clean on the edge while also leading to some different and fun aspects of the run game.

"I think you need good tackles just to set the depth of the pocket, just in general," McDaniel said. "There's no quicker way to find your looseness in protection than when quarterbacks have to step up super early.

"I think the two athletes we have allow for us to do some creative things in the run game that they are typically only able to do when you have certain types of athletes that can stay on the line of scrimmage and can pass pro in an upright position but then can go running down the field and block in space," McDaniel continued.

"I think guys that are able to block in space are rare," McDaniel added. "When they're tied with guys who are able to block the edge of the pocket, those combinations allow you to do all sorts of things from a blocking pattern standpoint as well as executing whatever launch point you need to."

5. Plethora of skill players

McDaniel said Tuesday that he was in the early stages of diving into the Chargers skill group, but noted he does have some outside familiarity with certain players.

"Well, first and foremost, they are all talented players that I was, in the draft process, kind of targeting on the other side of the country," McDaniel said.

Quentin Johnston was a 2023 first-round pick who has shown constant development in each NFL season, and has back-to-back years with eight touchdown catches.

McConkey was a second-round pick in 2024 who posted a 1,000-yard season as a rookie and is among the game's top route runners.

Omarion Hampton showed flashes in 2025 that made him a first-round pick. And he's part of a talented rookie class — including Tre' Harris and Oronde Gadsden — that show spearhead the Bolts offense for years to come.

McDaniel's biggest takeaway from this group, however, is the work ethic that has been communicated to him.

"You can tell they aspire to be great. What's more important than ever since I've been in the National Football League is you have to have a drive for maxing out your own abilities," McDaniel said. "There's a lot of people that are really, really quick trigger to pat you on the back and telling you how awesome you are. But to be great in this league, you have to have a relentless approach.

"Realistically, all the guys we've drafted here in the past two years, I see that patternized. I see it's more important than ever that there's a lot of access for people to get distracted and make money or chase things or opportunities in different directions," McDaniel continued.

"I think young players that have a love for football and an affinity for football and are willing to put in the work to be great, they have a chance to separate themselves in 2026 and beyond. I see all the young players here fit that merit," McDaniel added.

During McDaniel's time in Miami, his offense were notoriously defined by speed as the Dolphins seemed to feature a team of high-end track stars who were dangerous to score from any point on the field.

McDaniel emphasized Tuesday that while he does enjoy speed on offense, he will gladly work with the promising group the Chargers already have in place.

"The measure of a coach, as I see it, is being able to adapt to your skillsets and leaning into them. Yeah, I think I've always appreciated speed but it's not the end-all, be-all," McDaniel said. "You're best served if speed is probably your second-best attribute to something else.

"There's a lot of track guys now, a lot of fast football players, and when you have the opportunity to get one of those guys, you jump on it," McDaniel added. "But I think there's a lot of different ways to threaten a defense, to expand the amount of space they have to cover."

He later said that some of my "favorite players I've ever had are 4.6, 4.7 guys that play with their hair on fire."

The Chargers don't lack speed, for sure, but it will be fascinating to see how McDaniel unlocks this group and takes them to another level.

"I think you adapt to what your skills are and try to get the best football players," McDaniel said. "Then hope some of your football players have speed."

McDaniel later said a line that should get Chargers fans fired up for what lies ahead.

"Ultimately, our Chargers offense will look different than any offense I've coached before or any offense in the league," McDaniel said.