How Is The Justin Herbert-Mike McDaniel Partnership? 4 Takeaways From Chargers Camp

SAN DIEGO — It’s nothing but good vibes for Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers in what has become their annual trek to his former stomping grounds at the University of San Diego. “Blessed is the word that I can come up with because there’s no word better than blessed,” Harbaugh said about the second year of his team’s return to San Diego. “That’s how I think of the days here when I was coaching at USD.” The team practiced in front of packed crowds for two days in their former city, which included a moment of silence for former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith, who passed away last week at the age of 64 due to dementia caused by CTE, according to Smith’s family. Mike McDaniel got into the act. The blingy offensive coordinator said he was unprepared to take off his shades during an indoor press conference with reporters. “Ron Burgundy wasn’t lying,” McDaniel said about being in San Diego. “This place is sweet.” Even recently engaged franchise quarterback Justin Herbert joined the love fest, as fiancée Madison Beer stroked his brow like both were hanging out at the beach on the field after practice. But hey, this is football season. So, here are four takeaways from watching this team with Super Bowl expectations on the hoof for two days. 1. McDaniel-Herbert Duo Off To Good Start One of the biggest moves this offseason for Harbaugh was letting go of good friend Greg Roman in favor of an innovative offensive mind in McDaniel. So far, Herbert and McDaniel have meshed well, as the Oregon product is focused on getting the ball out more quickly and leaning on a diverse running game led by second-year pro Omarion Hampton and free-agent signee Keaton Mitchell. McDaniel talked about stressing Herbert in practice, citing an example of the talented quarterback forcing a ball into tight coverage to Tre Harris that was picked off by safety Kendall Williamson. “He hasn’t strayed,” McDaniel said about Herbert. “What you’re asking a quarterback to do is not succumb to the compass of results. It’s the process of how we’re doing things, and his investment has been a full immersion into that process.” For his part, Herbert said the detailed McDaniel is showing him a new way to look at generating efficient, effective offensive plays that lead to explosive plays and scores — by pushing the limits and learning from the mistakes made in practice. “The more reps, the better,” Herbert said when asked about his evolution in mastering the offense. “In OTAs we did everything we could to master the footwork, master the offense. Now, we’re just going out there and playing fast and letting the ball fly around. And I think that’s what is important in camp, is to just go out there and play football like you’re reacting and playing in a game. And treating those reps like real game reps.” 2. Tre Harris Taking Another Step In Development One player who has consistently flashed so far is second-year pro receiver Tre Harris. The Ole Miss product selected in the second round by the Bolts last year finished with 30 receptions for 324 yards and a score as a rookie. Harris bulked up this offseason and has looked more explosive during training camp as a frequent target for Herbert. McDaniel said Harris was a player he wanted to draft while serving as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. “He is a grown man,” McDaniel said. “He’s put on the appropriate mass through blood, sweat and tears, giving him the muscle and strength that will make him a matchup nightmare.” 3. Offensive Line Remains A Work In Progress The Chargers have both bookend tackles back healthy and participating in practice after season-ending leg injuries in left tackle Rashawn Slater and right tackle Joe Alt. Harbaugh said joining that duo as cemented starters up front are free agent pickups Cole Strange at right guard and center Tyler Biadasz at center. That said, there’s a five-man competition for the starting left guard position between Kayode Awosika, Trey Pipkins, Trever Penning, Jake Slaughter and Branson Taylor. Harbaugh said Awosika is leading the pack right now, and he’d like to decide on a starter in another 10 practice days. However, with the rash of injuries the Chargers experienced last season and Herbert finishing as the most-hit quarterback in the league in 2025, the important thing for the Chargers is creating positional flexibility through the offensive line room by generating experienced, functional depth along the offensive line. “There’s a high focus on it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s critical to us. And Butch (offensive line coach Butch Berry) is doing a great job. There’s numerous guys with guard-tackle flexibility. … We’ve got a good amount of flexibility there.” Harbaugh has mentioned working smarter, not harder in training camp. So, considering the bad injury luck this franchise experienced last season, it was good to see the Chargers have a light job through practice a day after the team’s first padded practice. Specifically, left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in a training camp practice, got a bit dinged up during the first padded practice, appearing to suffer a leg injury. Rather than limp through practice, the Chargers wisely had Slater watch from the sidelines to avoid further injury. Slater returned to practice the following day and appeared healthy. Harbaugh and the Chargers appear focused on putting their best foot forward when it comes to health, working to get their best players to the start of the regular season as healthy as possible. 4. Tuli Tuipulotu contract impasse still an issue The Chargers already have a tough task in replacing departed defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who left to take over the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job this offseason. Former Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who served as the safeties coach for the Bolts two years ago, has been tasked with that job. Making matters worse for the Chargers is that one of the team’s best defensive players, linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, has been limited for much of camp as he’s seeking a contract extension while entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Bolts would like to have the team’s leading pass rusher (13 sacks in 2025) from last season back to full-go sooner rather than later.