Harbaugh keeps McDaniel as play-caller after Chargers' 0-6 start

The Los Angeles Chargers remain the NFL's only winless team, but head coach Jim Harbaugh is keeping his offensive coordinator in place.

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the second half of their season as the NFL's last winless team, sitting at 0-6 — yet head coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday he is not making a change at the play-calling position. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will keep his role, Harbaugh confirmed, following the team's Week 7 bye week. The bye gave the Chargers organization a scheduled pause to evaluate what has been a troubled start to McDaniel's first season as the team's offensive coordinator. Despite that review, Harbaugh concluded that McDaniel would remain the man calling plays on offense. McDaniel, who previously served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins before joining the Chargers' staff, has faced scrutiny as Los Angeles's offense has struggled consistently across the first six weeks of the season. The specifics of the unit's statistical shortcomings were not detailed in the available reporting. Harbaugh, entering his second season leading the Chargers after a celebrated tenure at the University of Michigan, is now navigating the franchise's worst start in recent memory. His decision to retain McDaniel signals he believes the offensive struggles are correctable without a structural shakeup at the coordinator level. The Chargers return from their bye week to resume their 2025 season schedule, with McDaniel's play-calling under continued scrutiny as the team seeks its first win.

Why it matters

An 0-6 start makes the Chargers the NFL's sole winless team at this stage of the season, putting the franchise's playoff hopes and Harbaugh's roster rebuild under mounting pressure. Harbaugh's decision to stand by McDaniel will be closely watched as a test of organizational patience and strategic continuity.

What's next

The Chargers return from their bye week needing wins to salvage any realistic postseason contention, with McDaniel's offense under continued scrutiny.

Key facts

• The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-6, the only winless team remaining in the NFL
• Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday that Mike McDaniel will keep play-calling duties
• The announcement came after the Chargers used their Week 7 bye to review the offense
• This is McDaniel's first season as the Chargers' offensive coordinator
• Harbaugh has been the Chargers' head coach since 2024, coming from the University of Michigan

Bias & framing notes

All four sources appear to reproduce identical text — likely from the same wire report or syndicated feed — with no independent reporting, additional quotes, or statistical context added by any outlet. The story is factual in its core claim but thin in detail, as all four versions are truncated at the same point. No alternative perspectives or critical voices are present in any source.

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