New Chargers OC Mike McDaniel explains his plan for QB Justin Herbert

Mike McDaniel probably could have been a head coach again somewhere in the NFL.

Nobody wants the Cleveland Browns' job, and he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration and wound up as the new offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers.

There's an opportunity with the Chargers that he's excited about, though. First, he gets to coach under Jim Harbaugh, who is considered one of the best coaches in football. McDaniel was also drawn in by the opportunity to coach Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, and the excitement was mutual.

"We're both geeked for the future and the possibilities," McDaniel said during his opening news conference Tuesday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN.

Herbert is viewed as one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the league. The Chargers selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oregon. He was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in that 2020 season, has made two Pro Bowls and has been around the NFL MVP conversation twice.

Herbert is legit, but he hasn't won a playoff game in three tries, and his playoff stats (two touchdowns compared to four interceptions and a lost fumble) aren't encouraging.

Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert could be a great pairing for Los Angeles Chargers 

Getting the most out of Herbert is why Harbaugh wanted to hire McDaniel, who is one of the best offensive minds in football.

McDaniel doesn't want to put it all on the star quarterback, though. He wants his offense to be efficient and work within a structure that will make Herbert's life easier.

"Not relying too heavily on Justin's ability to do above and beyond, I think, is critical to maximize those types of opportunities," McDaniel explained. "That'll be one of the first things that we'll try to do, is take a little off his plate so that he is free to do that when his greatness is required."