EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Backed up inches from their own goal line, the Los Angeles Chargers lined up in the I-formation with a 21-personnel package, consisting of two backs and a tight end. Scott Matlock was in at fullback, with KeAndre Lambert-Smith out wide as the 'Z' receiver off the line of scrimmage. Justin Herbert indicated a motion with his right foot. Matlock and Lambert-Smith, each eligible to move pre-snap, both thought it was for them. Matlock, from a two-point stance, turned and ran to his right, only to find Lambert-Smith in a split stance ready to do the same to his left.
The ball was snapped, Herbert turned to throw to one of them for what appeared to be a screen concept, but the miscue welcomed an obvious flag for illegal shift.
Pair that with the illegal formation that preceded Herbert's latest interception, plus another no-call Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff noticed after the fact in film study, and you get a clear picture of the Chargers' offense in 2026.
"We look at who's doing it; why is it happening?" Harbaugh asked himself. "A player went out, then a player came in, didn't think he was going to be in that position."
Monday came and went, but fans angered by the 0-6 start waited for news of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's firing -- or some equivalent demotion -- that never arrived. Harbaugh called any offensive adjustments an "ongoing process" while he continued to hedge on his offensive coordinator's future. He did, however, acknowledge something important that not even McDaniel had been willing to spell out.
The Chargers are considering simplifying their offense. "Definitely looking at volume and where you can make it to where the players can understand," Harbaugh said, in reference to thinning the playbook.
"It's an option. It's something we're looking into, for sure, along with how much that's practiced. Does that need to be practiced more?"
Whether this would involve McDaniel or a replacement was unclear, as his future with the franchise remained in doubt. Depending on the person, you could be relieved by the possibility of change or perturbed about why it took so long.
McDaniel repeated every week how well he knew his players' strengths and weaknesses better than the last, only to disappoint in the Chargers' 22-6 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He often said the right things. He even denounced his "ego" in favor of a vague goal to fit the offense to his players. He failed.
The Chargers rank 32nd in total expected points added per play, 25th in percentage of carries contacted at or before the line of scrimmage, first in turnovers, tied for second in pre-snap penalties and third in total penalties. Herbert also leads the league in interceptions, is tied for first in quarterback hits and ranks second in sacks taken.
Any willingness to try something different could qualify as progress from where the Chargers currently sit.
Harbaugh specifically narrowed in on pre-snap penalties Monday because he viewed the latest alignment issues in Kansas City as "layups" that should not require a second thought. Evidently, not much has come easy for Chargers players under McDaniel.
"There was a time that the penalty (problem) was, offensively, the false start," Harbaugh said. "That's been corrected, and we're in a better place there. … When it comes to the formations, those alignments should be like layups. And so, more practice there, more getting in the layup line. Those have got to be nonexistent."
Slimming the call sheet could be one of multiple potential changes. Harbaugh was asked about Herbert, naturally.
The quarterback's stance and footwork underwent a considerable makeover at McDaniel's request in the offseason. Herbert was receptive. But with McDaniel on the hot seat, perhaps the old stance would make a cameo? Perhaps not.
"Footwork, putting Justin in the most advantageous position, there's nothing more important on the team," Harbaugh said. "Some of those things have been coached through. There have been changes. Really, the stance is the one thing that is, I mean, going back to the old stance? Not entirely, no."
Take what you can get, Chargers fans. The No. 1 pick is yours for the moment, and an offensive intervention is in motion. Enjoy the bye week.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
