Going into Week 8 of the 2026 season, the Los Angeles Chargers remain the NFL’s only winless team at 0-6. Naturally, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has come under scrutiny amid the team’s disappointing start, with growing questions about his play-calling and long-term future in Los Angeles.

Former Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is the latest to question McDaniel’s role in the team’s struggles. He also believes the coordinator could be running out of time to turn things around.

Shawne Merriman Sees No Justification for Mike McDaniel Staying With Chargers

The Chargers entered their bye week after a 22-6 blowout loss to rival Kansas City Chiefs. Their scoring average has now fallen to just 15 points per game. Through six games, the offense has managed only five passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns. Yikes.

McDaniel arrived in Los Angeles with considerable expectations after leaving the Miami Dolphins, but he has clearly struggled to turn Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense into the productive unit many expected.

During an appearance on the “BENCH’d Podcast,” Merriman questioned whether McDaniel deserves more time to figure things out.

“I don’t think so,” the former All-Pro said. “Because you could say the same thing about Kellen [Moore] when he was there. I mean, he’s a head coach now, and that’s somebody you hang on to if he isn’t performing well.

“So there’s no justification, in my opinion, to try to figure it out with Mike McDaniel based on the start they’ve had. It’s not like they started slow or had just some miscues here and there and needed to get on the same page. You’re 0-6… And so that’s going to be hard to justify, in my opinion.”

Before the season began, expectations were high for what the Chargers’ offense could accomplish with McDaniel and Herbert working together. So far, though, the results have been nowhere near what the team had hoped for.

Los Angeles ranks last in the league with a PFN Offense Impact Score of 61.6. Meanwhile, its defense sits at No. 13 with a Defense Impact Score of 77.8.

Herbert’s numbers also reflect the offense’s struggles. Through six games, the franchise quarterback has completed 107 of 180 passes for 1,141 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Despite the disappointing start, head coach Jim Harbaugh has decided to keep McDaniel in charge of the offense coming out of the bye week. Speaking to the media Wednesday, Harbaugh made it clear that he still believes in his coordinator.

“We’re very confident in Mike and his talent, his work ethic, and his ability. And continue to be,” Harbaugh said.

The Chargers will try to pick up their first win of the season when they face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

With McDaniel still calling the offense, the matchup gives the unit a chance to show signs of progress and ease some of the pressure on the coordinator.