EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mike McDaniel is here to challenge Justin Herbert.The Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator has made that clear in his short time with the organization.He has no interest in the status quo. He is searching for improvement.“We’re not here to take all the players that have been here and all the new players that we’re adding and just stand on what they’re able to do,” McDaniel said last month. “No. We’re trying to make each player that much better.”This approach is necessary, as Herbert is attempting to clear a career hurdle. He is entering his seventh NFL season and has yet to win a playoff game. McDaniel was hired to help Herbert find postseason success. This relationship — how it grows and what kind of improvement it cultivates — will tell the story of the 2026 Chargers season.The early returns, according to Herbert, are very positive. Speaking Tuesday for the first time since the Chargers lost to the New England Patriots in January, Herbert called McDaniel a “great teacher” and a “very talented and smart coach.”“He’s very clear,” Herbert said. “I really appreciate how upfront, how honest he is with everyone.”In order to challenge Herbert, McDaniel had to put in the work. There was no shortcut to earning Herbert’s trust. McDaniel’s first task as Chargers offensive coordinator was watching every throw from Herbert’s NFL career. From there, McDaniel developed a plan to mold his offensive scheme to Herbert and the Chargers.McDaniel brought these ideas to his quarterback in the late winter, according to Herbert. Herbert recalled one of his first meetings with McDaniel in February or March. McDaniel had put together a film cutup with a “few hundred” plays, Herbert said. The clips included Chargers plays from past seasons. They also included clips from teams McDaniel had coached previously.“It was a well-put-together presentation that I really saw the vision,” Herbert said, “and it meant a lot to me.”“It made me really want to get back to football.”