Since the Chargers selected Herbert in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, no quarterback has been sacked more than Herbert’s 225 times. No quarterback has been pressured more than Herbert’s 903 snaps. And no quarterback has received more registered hits than Herbert’s 381, per Pro Football Reference data.
Part of that speaks to the Chargers’ heavy reliance on Herbert in the passing game, his 3,438 attempts ranking second only to Russell Wilson’s 3,574. And part of that speaks to a rotating cast of offensive linemen, and most recently a highly battered cast of offensive linemen, leaving Herbert with shoddy-at-best protection.
“It was rough last year,” receivers coach Sanjay Lal told Yahoo Sports. “Justin just didn’t have time or he got moved off the spot almost every other play. So how do you have a functioning offense when it’s like that?”
Enter McDaniel, who prides himself on problem-solving for just such scenarios. A quick-release passing game will reduce the length of opportunities defenders have to crush Herbert, while McDaniel and staff’s belief in a more balanced run-pass attack should decrease the number of dropbacks Herbert will take.
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass during the Los Angeles Chargers Training Camp at The Bolt on August 11, 2026 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)
(Kevin Terrell via Getty Images)