Merriman Backs McDaniel's Chargers Move, Betting on Herbert to End 3-Game Playoff Skid
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 9
Merriman Backs McDaniel's Chargers Move, Betting on Herbert to End 3-Game Playoff Skid
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 9
Summary
Shawne Merriman said Mike McDaniel made the best decision of his career by joining the Chargers, arguing Justin Herbert gives the offensive coordinator his best chance to revive an explosive scheme and boost his future head-coaching prospects.
Herbert is central to that bet: McDaniel has said the quarterback has not reached his ceiling, despite already owning a 5,000-yard season and the arm talent to unlock more downfield shots.
Merriman pointed to a healthier supporting cast and weapons such as Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey after a 2025 season in which injuries still left Los Angeles sneaking into the AFC playoffs as the No. 7 seed.
The pressure remains on Herbert, who is 0-3 in the postseason after a 16-3 wild-card loss to New England, leaving what Merriman called a dark cloud until the quarterback makes a deeper playoff run.
That test starts quickly: the Chargers open at home against Arizona and Las Vegas before a brutal schedule that includes two games each against Denver and Kansas City plus trips to Buffalo, Seattle and Baltimore.