The Chargers are bringing in Mike McDaniel to serve as their offensive coordinator, and I like that hire. I think he’ll help them – especially their run game.
I’m not a big fan of McDaniel as a head coach. He’s too geeky. I don’t think he sets the right tone. But he knows offense. I think he’s one of the current innovators in the game.
I really like what he did with the running game in Miami, and he was able to do it with a lesser offensive line and limited quarterback (Tua Tagovailoa is undersized and has no mobility). Looking at the running back position, Miami has ranked 1st, 16th and 8th in rushing the last three years.
Since 2023, Miami’s running backs (and that position only – no quarterbacks or wide receivers), have averaged 109 rushing yards per game at 4.8 per carry, with 49 TD runs in those 51 games. Since 2023, only Detroit, Atlanta and Baltimore have gotten more rushing yards out of the running back position.
| RUSHING SINCE 2023 (RB only) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Att | Yards | YPC | TD |
| Detroit | 26.2 | 127.0 | 4.9 | 73 |
| Atlanta | 26.3 | 118.1 | 4.5 | 40 |
| Baltimore | 22.6 | 116.9 | 5.2 | 56 |
| Miami | 22.7 | 108.6 | 4.8 | 49 |
| Philadelphia | 22.8 | 108.0 | 4.7 | 30 |
| Buffalo | 22.8 | 107.0 | 4.7 | 42 |
| LA Rams | 24.0 | 106.0 | 4.4 | 47 |
| Indianapolis | 23.1 | 104.2 | 4.5 | 45 |
| San Francisco | 22.3 | 101.9 | 4.6 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh | 23.2 | 100.2 | 4.3 | 30 |
| Green Bay | 23.5 | 99.2 | 4.2 | 40 |
| Tampa Bay | 22.7 | 93.5 | 4.1 | 31 |
| Arizona | 19.6 | 91.9 | 4.7 | 27 |
| Dallas | 21.5 | 91.1 | 4.2 | 30 |
| Seattle | 21.5 | 90.5 | 4.2 | 42 |
| Carolina | 21.8 | 90.5 | 4.1 | 25 |
| Chicago | 21.1 | 89.7 | 4.2 | 36 |
| Tennessee | 21.1 | 89.0 | 4.2 | 30 |
| New England | 21.3 | 87.9 | 4.1 | 34 |
| Washington | 19.5 | 87.0 | 4.5 | 41 |
| Denver | 20.7 | 86.7 | 4.2 | 25 |
| Houston | 21.6 | 85.7 | 4.0 | 26 |
| Jacksonville | 21.2 | 83.5 | 3.9 | 34 |
| NY Jets | 19.4 | 82.1 | 4.2 | 20 |
| Cleveland | 21.4 | 81.4 | 3.8 | 28 |
| Minnesota | 19.4 | 81.2 | 4.2 | 20 |
| • LA Chargers | 20.8 | 80.6 | 3.9 | 30 |
| NY Giants | 20.5 | 79.9 | 3.9 | 28 |
| Cincinnati | 18.7 | 77.9 | 4.2 | 27 |
| Kansas City | 19.9 | 75.6 | 3.8 | 27 |
| New Orleans | 19.6 | 73.2 | 3.7 | 22 |
| Las Vegas | 19.0 | 70.7 | 3.7 | 20 |
At his introductory press conference, McDaniel talked about not wanting to have to rely on Justin Herbert too much. He’s also got those two elite tackles coming back. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are arguably the best tackle pair in the league.
All of which points to Omarion Hampton looking like a good candidate for top-10 numbers in his second year. Hampton was hurt for half of his first season, but he played well enough when he was out there, averaging 60 rushing yards in his nine games, at 4.4 per attempt. He also scored 5 TDs and averaged 3.6 catches for 21 yards.
It's early, but I sure like the look of Hampton for 2026.
—Ian Allan
