Oronde Gadsden

Former Miami HC set to become offensive coordinator in LA Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel is expected to become the Chargers offensive coordinator barring a change of heart, per @JeffDarlington and me. McDaniel has informed other teams that they re out, the Chargers clearly want him, and the two sides are having dinner tonight. But the expectation across the league is that McDaniel will be staying in LA. (ESPN - Adam Schefter) FF Today's Take: It is hard to envision a scenario in which this potential hire is not good for Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton and Oronde Gadsden II. McDaniel worked wonders with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, helping him lead the league in passing yards one season (2023) and completion percentage in the next (2024). Herbert is much more gifted than Tagovailoa, so expect the quarterback to take a big step forward in 2026. As far as Hampton is concerned, he is much different than De'Von Achane, but Hampton showed enough in the passing game as a rookie to likely catch McDaniel's attention in that regard. Last but not least, McDaniel coaxed production out of Jonnu Smith and Darren Waller in recent years. One would have to think Gadsden will be a key paart of his offense as well.

The Chargers fired OC Greg Roman. The offense was disappointing this season, but an injury-wrecked offensive line was a much bigger culprit than Roman's scheme or play-calling. The Chargers lost LT Rashawn Slater to a season-ending torn patellar tendon in August and then watched RT Joe Alt go down with his own season-ending ankle injury in Week 9. Los Angeles finished bottom two in Pro Football Focus' run- and pass-blocking grades and ESPN's run- and pass-blocking win rates. QB Justin Herbert was pressured on a league-high 43.6% of his dropbacks. We'll see who the Chargers tab to replace Roman. But the offensive line should be much better in 2026 with better health. With Herbert, plus RB Omarion Hampton, WRs Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre Harris, and TE Oronde Gadsden, this is a prime bounce-back offense to target in fantasy drafts.

Gadsden was unable to deliver a high-end performance against the Patriots, but he continued to show off his ability to get open on in-breaking routes. The talent should serve him well in his second NFL season next year. The fifth-round rookie caught 49-of-68 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns this season, far surpassing expectations, given his draft capital. A knee injury suffered by veteran TE Tyler Conklin allowed Gadsden to remain active on game day in Week 3. He seized the opportunity, catching 5-of-6 targets for 46 yards in his first NFL game. Gadsden finished as the half-PPR TE16 this year and should be able to enter the TE1 tier in 2026.