When Mike McDaniel agreed to become offensive coordinator of the Chargers, one of his most important tasks was finding a way to get the best out of quarterback Justin Herbert.
“He has the capability of mastering every tool in the toolbox,” the former Miami head coach said of his quarterback. “For him to own the position in a way he never has and ultimately for it to be obvious to everyone around, he’s playing the best football of his career.”
It appears that in order to master every tool in the toolbox, the Chargers have decided to surround Herbert with more weapons than before.
Announced early Monday morning, Los Angeles agreed to terms with former Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku on a one-year deal where he can make as much as $8-million.
Njoku has spent his entire nine-year career in Cleveland, where he had a breakout 2023 season. He finished with 81 catches on 123 targets for 882 yards and six touchdowns and was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl. All of those number were career-highs.
He ranks second in Cleveland history in touchdown receptions (34) and total receptions (384).
Los Angeles now has two bonafide pass-catching tight ends for Herbert to work with in Njoku and second-year Oronde Gadsden II.
Gadsden, a former fifth-round pick, finished his rookie season with 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns.
With McDaniel leading the way, the Chargers are expecting Herbert to take another step forward, which means not putting all of the pressure on his back.
“He’s got a very strong arm with a lot of ball speed, so typically guys like that have to wait to see something open and then throw it,” McDaniel said. “And in those microseconds of time, defenders get closer to the eligibles that are catching it, so you have fewer yards after catch.
“So, focusing on utilizing that strong arm and tying some quick footwork stuff, just overall it’s just a piece of the offense, but it’s a portion of the offense that I knew that he hadn’t really done in the past, and so that’s been what’s impressive.”
