Jim Harbaugh defends OC Mike McDaniel after Justin Herbert’s struggles, Chargers fall to 0-4

 Mike McDaniel’s job with the Los Angeles Chargers is, at least for now, still safe.

The Chargers fell in a pretty rough outing to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, which dropped them to 0-4 on the year. The offense struggled significantly, and Justin Herbert threw a pair of interceptions in the 30-23 loss. Things are, undoubtedly, not going well.

But firing his offensive coordinator just four games into his tenure isn’t something head coach Jim Harbaugh is even thinking of doing yet.

“His job is not in jeopardy,” Harbaugh said after the loss, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “He’s a skilled coach, and we’re going to keep growing.”

Things were bad from the start. Herbert threw an interception on the very first play of the game, and the ball went right to Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold threw one on his first play from scrimmage, too. The game was, remarkably, the first since the stat started to be tracked in 1978 that opened with consecutive thrown interceptions.

Herbert threw another bad pick in the second quarter, and only had five completions for 36 yards in the first half. The Chargers rallied a bit in the second half and cut the game to a single score — Herbert only missed three passes in the second half and had 144 yards — but couldn’t complete the comeback. Herbert now has six interceptions this season to just four touchdowns.

The Chargers’ issues absolutely go beyond McDaniel. But it’s easy to assume that he’d be an easy target should the struggles continue. McDaniel is in his first job since his split with the Miami Dolphins last season. He was the Dolphins’ head coach for four seasons, but finished with just a 35-33 record in his first stint as a head coach in the league. 

The Chargers’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. They’ll host the Denver Broncos next week before games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs are still undefeated, and both the Rams and Broncos are 2-2 on the year. A loss to the Broncos on Sunday would make it eight straight dating back to last year. 

But despite everything, Harbaugh is keeping his head high and staying positive. And he’s doing it with McDaniel running his offense.

“The plan did not work to result in a victory, and we’ll go back and plan some more with the skilled coaches we have and the talented players and fight,” Harbaugh said. “That’s what gives me optimism.”