Chargers Eye Adam Gase for Offensive Staff as Jim Harbaugh Reshapes Coaching Structure

The Los Angeles Chargers are entering a new chapter on offense, one defined by change, experimentation and a willingness to rethink the structure around quarterback Justin Herbert. After two seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the organization is moving away from its previous approach and reshuffling key positions on the coaching staff.

The first domino fell when Harbaugh dismissed offensive coordinator Greg Roman, signaling a desire for a different identity. Soon after, the Chargers landed one of the most sought-after names on the market in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, whose creative schemes and quarterback-friendly systems have drawn league-wide respect.

Now, as McDaniel begins assembling his staff, another unexpected name has surfaced. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Los Angeles is strongly considering former New York Jets and Dolphins head coach Adam Gase for a pass game coordinator role.

The possibility adds intrigue to an offseason already centered on maximizing Herbert’s prime, as the Chargers look to pair fresh ideas with experienced offensive minds.

1. A New Direction Under Harbaugh

Harbaugh’s first two seasons in Los Angeles established a foundation, but not necessarily the consistency the franchise envisioned. While the Chargers remained competitive, the offense often struggled to fully capitalize on Herbert’s arm talent and mobility. Letting Roman go marked a clear philosophical shift. The team appears intent on adopting a more modern, adaptable passing attack rather than leaning heavily on traditional structures. McDaniel fits that bill. Known for motion-heavy schemes, creative play designs and maximizing speed in space, he brings a reputation for tailoring offenses to his personnel rather than forcing players into rigid roles. His arrival alone suggested change. Adding another experienced offensive voice could further accelerate that transformation.

2. Gase’s Surprising Return to the NFL Mix

The name Adam Gase might catch some by surprise. Since being fired as Jets head coach after the 2020 season, he has largely stayed out of the NFL spotlight. Yet his résumé remains complicated rather than empty. Before his head coaching stints, Gase built a strong reputation as an offensive coordinator, most notably guiding Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos during one of the most prolific seasons in league history. Those credentials have kept his name circulating in coaching circles despite uneven results as a head coach in Miami and New York. His strengths have long been viewed as schematic and quarterback-focused rather than managerial. If hired as pass game coordinator, Gase wouldn’t be asked to lead a franchise — only to refine and support the aerial attack, a narrower role that could better suit his skill set.

3. Building Around Herbert’s Prime

Ultimately, every move the Chargers make ties back to Herbert. The former first-round pick has steadily developed into one of the league’s most productive and durable quarterbacks, and the franchise views this stretch as a critical window. Pairing McDaniel’s creativity with Gase’s experience could give Herbert multiple perspectives in the meeting room, blending innovation with institutional knowledge. For a young quarterback already trending upward, that support system could unlock another level. Time away from the game may also benefit Gase. With offenses across the NFL evolving rapidly, a fresh vantage point could allow him to incorporate modern concepts and return with updated ideas rather than relying on past formulas. If the staff comes together as envisioned, Los Angeles could field one of the league’s more intriguing offensive think tanks — a combination of Harbaugh’s structure, McDaniel’s imagination and potentially Gase’s quarterback expertise.