Mike McDaniel Is Asking Justin Herbert to Throw Before He's Sure

Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel missed Day 3 of training camp at El Segundo to attend a funeral, but after reviewing the practice film once he returned, he came away with a clear read on where Justin Herbert's game is heading.

McDaniel Wants Herbert Throwing Before Receivers Are Open

McDaniel's central ask of Herbert this camp is to throw with anticipation instead of waiting until a receiver is visibly open. That's a deliberate departure from a quarterback who has generally relied on his arm to bail out late decisions. McDaniel described his priorities for this stage of camp bluntly: he isn't tracking completion percentage or interceptions right now, he's watching whether Herbert is willing to expose himself to risk and throw into windows before they're fully open.

That framing matters. Early camp reps are typically where quarterbacks are given permission to fail in ways they can't during the season, and McDaniel's comments suggest the Chargers are using this window specifically to rewire Herbert's internal clock rather than to evaluate polish.

Herbert's Film Showed Both Explosive Plays and Visible Discomfort

On tape, Herbert connected on deep sideline shots and passes through the middle of the field that stood out enough that McDaniel said Herbert "spoke to me through the tape." But the more telling moment came off a specific route to wide receiver Ladd McConkey, where Herbert told McDaniel afterward that he felt nervous throwing it early. Coaches read that admission as a positive sign rather than a red flag — evidence that Herbert is actively working against his instinct to wait, not just executing a scripted play.

Quentin Johnston and McConkey have been taking the bulk of receiver reps as the offense installs its expedited timing, and broader camp reporting has framed the emphasis this camp as speeding up offensive processing and trusting footwork over relying purely on arm strength.

The Left Guard Battle Remains Unresolved

Herbert's development is unfolding against the backdrop of an unsettled interior offensive line, where the left guard spot remains a rotating competition. Protecting Herbert while he takes on more anticipatory throws — which carry more risk if the pocket collapses early — raises the stakes on settling that position before the pads come off for good. Nothing about the rotation has been decided, and camp performance alone won't determine who starts Week 1.