Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is moving his play-calling location from the sideline to the booth in an effort to spark the team's struggling offense. The Chargers have gone 27 drives without scoring a touchdown, a drought spanning nine quarters.
"One of the things I want to try is call plays from the box to kind of see adjustments for myself and communicate with position coaches appropriately what things we can focus on between series," McDaniel told reporters.
The Chargers' offense has averaged just 14.1 points per game this season, the fewest in the NFL. McDaniel, who previously served as offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, compared calling plays from the booth to watching film, noting that it can offer a better overall view of the field.
"It’s like watching tape. You train yourself over time to see the game on the field. One of the reasons I stand behind the ball so far is so that I can try to get a visual of all 22 [players], because [otherwise] you’re so close to the ball you can kind of have your periphery shut out," McDaniel explained. "That’s not the case from the box. In an ideal world, if all things are equal and there’s no negative from not being on the field, you can see the game better from up there."
Head coach Jim Harbaugh approved the change. McDaniel expressed confidence in the rest of the offensive coaching staff to maintain communication on the sideline.
The winless Chargers (0-7) will host the Houston Texans on Sunday.