Chargers’ Justin Herbert has already exceeded Mike McDaniel’s expectations

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are desperate to finally reach the mountaintop after moving on from their longtime head coaches, the Kansas City Chiefs seek redemption after a 6-11 campaign, the Cincinnati Bengals finally addressed their defense, the Super Bowl runner-up New England Patriots will attract constant publicity with Mike Vrabel and AJ Brown expected to reunite and the Houston Texans’ defense could somehow be even more intimidating. But the most fascinating AFC team might actually be the Los Angeles Chargers.

While it is easy to dismiss the Bolts following another one-and-done showing in the playoffs, this franchise could sport a vastly different identity next season. With former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter now leading the Ravens, LA might be more defined by what it accomplishes on the other side of the ball. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is entrusted with maximizing quarterback Justin Herbert’s abundant talents.

He does not view this as a project, however. On the contrary, the ex-Miami Dolphins HC is grateful for the opportunity to work with the No. 6 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

“Justin’s up there as one of the main motivating factors of moving my family here,” McDaniel said at Chargers’ rookie minicamp. “And so lofty expectations, and I can with absolute certainty say he’s exceeded those…. New things that he hasn’t done before {I’m thinking} will maybe take three to four weeks, maybe it will take all spring, and there’s been some things he’s been able to get done and master in a span of three days.”