McDaniel challenges – Mike McDaniel’s offseason challenge to Justin Herbert in Los Angeles is built on a specific change to footwork and an aggressive target for how quickly Herbert releases the ball—2.4 seconds or less—an approach McDaniel used before with other quarterbacks.
The offseason work for Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers is starting to look less like a typical tweak and more like a measurable challenge.
In a segment on “NFL Live. ” Los Angeles reporter Kris Rhim laid out what Herbert’s relationship with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has been built on since the start—especially when it comes to changing how Herbert sets his body before he throws. Rhim said the goal is for Herbert to get his left foot forward. and to drive toward a release time of 2.4 seconds or less.
Rhim connected the plan to what McDaniel has done at previous stops. He said McDaniel was “challenging Herbert in ways that no other offensive coordinator has in his career. ” and that the challenge begins with “changing his footwork.” In Rhim’s telling. the adjustment is that Herbert now uses his non-football throwing side forward—meaning his left foot becomes the lead instead of his right foot.
That style. Rhim said. is one McDaniel has coached before at stops in Washington. Atlanta. and “recently in Miami with Tua Tagovailoa.” Rhim also said he wouldn’t get into further details because of fear of competitive advantage. but he did explain the purpose: it’s meant to help the timing of the offense so receivers can get the ball out in space and turn it into yards after the catch.
Herbert. according to Rhim’s description. has been limited to throwing weekly using what’s described as a “green water ball” at practice—an alien-like prop that’s meant to simulate the timing and demands of getting the ball out quickly. The hope for the Chargers is that this added constraint and new mechanics will push both Herbert and the offense to a higher level.
With the numbers attached and the mechanics spelled out—left foot forward and a 2.4-second or less release—there’s no hiding what McDaniel is asking for. The only remaining question is whether Herbert can turn that offseason work into results when games start counting again.
Justin Herbert Mike McDaniel Los Angeles Chargers NFL Live Kris Rhim offensive coordinator footwork release time 2.4 seconds Tua Tagovailoa