EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is making subtle but critical changes to his footwork under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.Herbert, McDaniel and coach Jim Harbaugh have touched on these footwork changes through the offseason program. On Wednesday, ahead of the Chargers’ second of three mandatory minicamp practices, McDaniel provided details on what exactly is changing, why it matters and what kind of impact it could have on Herbert’s 2026 season.The big change is occurring with Herbert’s setup in shotgun formations. Throughout his career, dating to his rookie year in 2020, Herbert has primarily set up with his right foot forward. The foot on the same side as his throwing hand.Here is an example from Week 15 last season.McDaniel has switched that setup. Herbert is now aligning with his left foot slightly forward when in shotgun formation. The foot opposite his throwing hand. Here is an example from Wednesday’s practice.As Herbert explained the setup change earlier this month: “We feel like that is going to help us get the ball out quicker.”Shorter time to throw. This has been a core ideal throughout the offseason as McDaniel has installed his offense. He reiterated this point Wednesday when discussing Herbert’s footwork change.“There’s going to be a lot of positive consequences,” McDaniel said. “How he throws, how we get it to our eligibles and all the talented players that we have on this team. Their ability to do stuff with the football in their hands with the maximum amount of space will benefit us all greatly.”The fundamental concept is pretty simple. Herbert is a right-handed thrower. When he throws, he steps with his left foot. By having that foot forward at the snap, he is already in a position to release the ball early in the down.McDaniel said his goal this offseason as he integrated with Herbert was “trying to find the margins where you can improve.” After watching all of Herbert’s passes from his career, McDaniel settled on “shorter time throws and footwork” as those margins. The change that will foster improvement, in theory, is putting the left foot forward in the shotgun setup.“You’re throwing a 5-yard out route,” McDaniel posed. “How can we get 12 (yards) on that? Well, our timing, based on our footwork and when we’re able to throw, has a big portion in the overall maximization of that 5-yard out route. When the player gets the ball and how (the quarterback’s) timing is tied to the depths and the route tree of the offensive players, so we can get the ball to them out of the break.”This different setup is not completely foreign to Herbert. In college at Oregon, Herbert had a more balanced stance in shotgun formations, with his feet parallel. This helped him operate some of the run-pass options within the offensive scheme.