Jim Harbaugh says Mike McDaniel's job is not in jeopardy

The vote of confidence came Sunday night after another loss built on a first half the offense could not survive.

ProFootballTalk

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Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh says offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's job is "not in jeopardy." t.co/cItKQ9ASBf

Harbaugh did not hedge. According to the AP, he said, "No, his job is not in jeopardy. He's a skilled coach and we're going to keep growing." When a head coach has to answer that question in Week 4, things are already bad. McDaniel came to LA after his run as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, hired to fix the Chargers' offense, and 4 games in, his system still hasn't taken.

The split inside this game shows the problem. Justin Herbert spent the first half throwing picks and taking sacks, then looked like a completely different quarterback after halftime.

Kris Rhim

@krisrhim1

Justin Herbert first half: 5-14, 36 yds, 2 Int, 2 sacks Herbert second half: 13-16, 144 yds, TD, sack Chargers ball. 1:42 to play.

Per the AP, the Chargers managed just 92 net yards in the first half and 209 in the second. The 2 interceptions give Herbert 6 on the season, and the pass protection keeps getting him hit. A 2nd-half comeback is nice, but it doesn't help much when you spend the first 30 minutes digging the hole.

Herbert is backing his OC as hard as Harbaugh is. "I think (McDaniel) is the greatest and I want to make him proud and do everything I can to pick up the offense," he said after the game, according to the AP. The quarterback and the head coach are both behind the play-caller. The scoreboard isn't.

Kris Rhim

@krisrhim1

Chargers 23, Seahawks 30 Chargers drop to 0-4. The only thing encouraging in this one is that Justin Herbert looked elite again in the second half after a terrible first half. Denver next week at home.

That's about the only good news: Herbert can still take over a half. Up next is Denver, at home, with the Chargers alone at the bottom of the AFC West. Harbaugh has publicly tied himself to McDaniel. If the offense sleepwalks through another first half against the Broncos and the record drops to 0-5, Sunday's answer is going to get tested fast.