Ex-NFL star believes Mike McDaniel's 'best decision of his career' was joining Chargers with Justin Herbert

While one team in Los Angeles is getting all the recognition throughout the , another is gearing up for what they believe will be a season to watch on their front at SoFi Stadium.

The sharing a home with the Los Angeles Rams might be hard if you're battling for headlines, but this team has the chance to be just as explosive in 2026.

Why? Mike McDaniel joined Jim Harbaugh's staff in L.A. as the team's new offensive coordinator, and he hasn't shied away from his feelings about his quarterback, Justin Herbert, in the slightest throughout training camp. Simply put, he's obsessed with what Herbert can do, to the point where he's expected to be opening up previously locked plays in his explosive scheme.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSIBLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

Former Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has faith his old squad will be back in the playoffs this season, and McDaniel will be a major reason why they could be contending far beyond just representing the AFC come Wild Card weekend.

"I think Mike McDaniel has made the best decision of his career," Merriman told OutKick in a recent interview. "Thats even outside of leaving the . I think they had something fun, an explosive offense at one time with [Jaylen] Waddle, Tyreek Hill and things like that out in Miami. But he had an opportunity to get a head coaching job at a couple of places, and he didnt feel it was right.

"So, what happens is you take the best position that puts you back in the drivers seat after this next year or two so you can go take the job you want."

When McDaniel joined the Chargers, he said he was "geeked" to work with Herbert, whom he believes "hasn't neared the ceiling to what he's capable of." That's saying something considering Herbert has thrown for 5,000 yards in his career, and has proven to be among the top talents in the NFL at quarterback.

CHARGERS QUARTERBACK JUSTIN HERBERT AND POP STAR MADISON BEER ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT WITH ROMANTIC POST

But McDaniel's words are something that has Chargers fans geeked, too, especially if there's an extra gear he could unlock with the former first-round pick.

"Justin Herbert had to be the biggest influence of going there, because now you have an explosive quarterback," Merriman added. "Hes an explosive offensive coordinator, so the deep balls down the field, weve already seen Quentin Johnston down the field – hes explosive. Youve got Ladd McConkey who can work the middle of the field and get open in shorter routes. You have a hell of a running back that comes back healthy this year. …They have an explosive opportunity to win."

Merriman even said that McDaniel joining Harbaugh was interesting at first considering their "quirky" nature in terms of how they coach. But it's been a seamless transition thus far, though Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals will be the true indicator on just how in sync Harbaugh, McDaniel, Herbert and the rest of the team are.

However, no matter how great the Chargers are in the regular season, a dark cloud hangs over the head of the team, especially Herbert, as he has yet to win a playoff game since entering the NFL.

Merriman was very impressed L.A. was even able to reach the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the AFC last season considering key injuries to players like tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, linebacker Khalil Mack, rookie running back Omarion Hampton and more. But Herbert seemed to will the team there, while the defense stepped up big time in key moments down the stretch.

The New England Patriots, though, won 16-3 on Wild Card weekend and Herbert suffered hi