The Los Angeles Chargers are in full-on crisis mode. We’re in mid-October, and the team coached by Jim Harbaugh is an astonishing 0-5. The defense is middling at best, supposed franchise quarterback Justin Herbert looks like a replacement-level quarterback at the helm of a woeful offense, and a daunting schedule isn’t showing signs of letting up any time soon. There’s a good chance the Chargers will remain winless well into November.
If that happens, it seems likely that Harbaugh will make some changes, either with his personnel or with his coaching staff. Quite frankly, it would be malpractice not to. The most obvious change to make would be to can first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose scheme is not clicking whatsoever with the Chargers’ offensive players. The bad news there is that the Chargers reportedly aren’t considering anyone who is actually a good offensive coordinator to possibly replace McDaniel.
Per ESPN/NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers might turn to current passing game specialist Adam Gase if they elect to move on from McDaniel. Yes, the very same Gase who once burned a trail of failure off the New York Jets and who is working his first NFL job in over half a decade as a result of said failure. Yes, that is the man who can save the Chargers’ probably already hopeless season. Sure. Such a decision would totally not be a self-preservatory Band-Aid move from Harbaugh. Not at all.
Dearest readers, you can’t write this kind of comedy any better:
Find Your Qualified Amazon Prime Trial
Select your category below to unlock your specific free trial and discounted membership rate:
Prime for Young Adults
Included with Prime for Young Adults:
- Fast, Free Delivery: Unlimited Same-Day, One-Day, and Two-Day Delivery on millions of items.
- Unlimited Streaming: Prime Video with award-winning Originals, movies, and live sports.
- $0 Food Delivery Fees: Free Grubhub+ membership included (save ~$120/year).
Amazon Prime (Standard)
Included with Amazon Prime:
- Fast, Free Delivery: Unlimited Same-Day, One-Day, and Two-Day shipping options.
- Instant Entertainment: Award-winning TV shows, movies, music, and photo storage.
- Full Access to Alexa+: AI assistant for entertainment, deals, and smart home tracking.
Amazon Prime Access
- Full Prime Benefits: Free shipping, Prime Video, and exclusive shopping deals.
- No Long-Term Commitment: Cancel or pause membership anytime.
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: A look at where it stands for the #Chargers during a frustrating start to the season. pic.twitter.com/g3qqPibZvM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2026
Everyone knows the old adage that when it rains, it pours. After hearing this Gase report, I can’t think of a better way to describe this version of the Chargers. Handing him the offensive coordinator reins might be like voluntarily inviting torrential rain upon yourself.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The Chargers have the funniest replacement in mind if they fire Mike McDaniel