General manager Joe Hortiz outlined a significant schematic shift for the Chargers following the hiring of Mike McDaniel as the team’s offensive coordinator.
The most impactful change in the offense will be the implementation of wide-zone blocking concepts, which McDaniel inherited from the Shanahan tree. Hortiz compared this transition to his 2014 experience in Baltimore when the Ravens hired Gary Kubiak and shifted to a similar scheme.
Hortiz emphasized that the team is now prioritizing athleticism in its offensive linemen.
“You have to understand there’s going to be some players that move a little bit on your board because this guy in our old scheme may have fit better and doesn’t as well now,” Hortiz said. “Scouts can still evaluate for all positions. We’ve been doing it our whole career before Mike got here. This guy is more a zone-scheme fit so now that’s being said in our report.”
He later added: “More range. Guys who can get to the cutoffs blocks and get out in space.”
Bradley Bozeman, who recently announced his retirement, did not possess the required athletic traits needed in McDaniel’s system. Mekhi Becton, a potential cut candidate to clear up more cap space, does not, either. Zion Johnson, a pending free agent, would be a fit in this new offense.
The primary objective of McDaniel’s arrival is to reduce the pressure on Justin Herbert, who was the most pressured and second-most sacked quarterback in 2025.
“Mike has got some good ideas in terms of ways to protect Justin. And then, listen, we’re always going to try to help Justin,” Hortiz said. “Whether that’s throwing more players at all positions to help the team.
“We’re going to attack the O-line, we’re going to attack the defense, we’re going to attack the backs and tight ends, everything,” Hortiz added. “The more weapons and more players we can put around Justin, the better we protect Justin.”
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: What will Chargers’ new offensive identity look like in 2026?