How to get the most out of Justin Herbert and four other major questions for the Chargers in offseason

As the NFL offseason officially kicks off Monday morning, the Chargers will be one of the most discussed teams over the coming months.

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has replaced both his offensive and defensive coordinators, going in two totally different directions. On offense, he hired former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel — one of the bright offensive minds in the games — after he was fired a few weeks ago. He then went young and unproven on defense, taking Western Michigan’s DC Chris O’Leary and handing him the keys to a top-5 unit.

Here are five questions that need to be addressed by the Chargers.

1. How does McDaniel get the most out of Justin Herbert?

After the Chargers flamed out toward the end of the season, Harbaugh decided to make a seismic move.

He fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman, whose offense became too predictable and reliant on quarterback Justin Herbert’s superman capabilities. Harbaugh then brought in McDaniel, hoping to utilize the skillsets of the offense as a whole and help the team take the next step forward.

McDaniel admitted as much during his introductory press conference about finding the best ways to get more out of Herbert and the offense.

“There’s a lot of incredible plays that Justin has made,” McDaniel said. “He’s firmly capable, and sometimes as a coach you can rely upon that a little too much. There’s schematic ways to get completions that maybe all three quarterbacks on your roster would be capable of doing.

“Easier completions, not putting so much — it can be taxing over time for a player to necessitate an incredible play too often to be able to score points and win football games. So, you try to take it off of him by creating some low-cost, high-reward offense that he’s firmly capable of doing but maybe a player of lesser talent would be capable of doing as well.”

2. How will the defense adapt to Chris O’Leary?

After Jesse Minter took over the Ravens, Harbaugh wasted no time in hiring his replacement. He quickly landed on O’Leary.

O’Leary is already familiar with the Chargers staff and players, having served as safeties coach in 2024 under Minter. He now returns to run one of the better units in the NFL.

Last year, Minter led the Chargers to the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense (285.2 yards per game). In Minter’s first season in Los Angeles in 2024, the Chargers led the league with the fewest points allowed per game (17.7).

It was quite the two-year turnaround for the Chargers under Minter, and now O’Leary is tasked with keeping that side of the ball among the best in the league.

3. Will Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater be good for training camp?

Last season began with such potential, but before any of it could be realized, the Chargers were dealt a major blow when all-pro left tackle Rashawn Slater went down with a ruptured patella tendon.

All was not lost as Joe Alt, coming off a rookie season where he was one of the best right tackles in football, slid over to protect Herbert’s blindside. Alt performed admirably as the Chargers raced to a 3–0 start with wins coming against every AFC West foe.

But Alt went down in Week 4 with an ankle injury, missed three games, returned, and then went down in Week 9 against the Titans by hurting that same ankle. He underwent season-ending surgery on the ankle.

Both are expected to be 100% entering Chargers training camp later this summer.

4. How do the Chargers address free agency concerns?

Much of Los Angeles’ success for next season will come down to what happens in free agency, as a number of key players will be unrestricted free agents.

After a year in Chicago, wide receiver Keenan Allen returned to Herbert and the Chargers and continued to be Herbert’s most-trusted target. He caught 81 passes for 777 yards and four touchdowns, with 49 of his catches going for a first down.

The other two big free agents come on the defensive line, where Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are unrestricted this offseason. Mack, alongside safety Derwin James, are the leaders of the defense, while Oweh had a breakout game against New England in the playoffs when he finished with three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Their futures are unknown, but the Chargers have made it clear that both will be a priority in the offseason.

Allen has already stated he wants to be back with Herbert and the Chargers, and that’s a resolution that should come easily.

5. And with the No. 22 pick in the NFL Draft, the Chargers select…

If the Chargers really want to utilize Harbaugh’s philosophy, then they must keep building in the trenches.

Slater and Alt will help anchor the offensive line, but finding suitable competition/replacements at center and guard will be key in getting the most out of Herbert and the offense. The defense was buoyed by the new contract for defensive lineman Teair Tart, but upgrading the interior defensive line must remain a priority.

Fans will want to give McDaniel and Herbert a fancy new toy to play with, but the emergence of tight end Oronde Gadsden and wide receiver Quentin Johnson means the Chargers have plenty of capable weapons.

Winning in the trenches must be a priority.

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