The Los Angeles Chargers are currently sitting at 0-5 entering play in Week 6, where they'll face an undefeated Kansas City Chiefs team more than capable of beating the Chargers.

With how poorly the season has gone, a scapegoat naturally emerges. For the Chargers, that's Mike McDaniel, the highly coveted offensive coordinator who's really struggled with the Chargers this season.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes McDaniel is on the hot seat, which shouldn't be a surprise. But, the reason why he believes McDaniel could be fired is interesting. Barnwell points to Justin Herbert as to why the Chargers might fire McDaniel mid-season.

Chargers might fire Mike McDaniel for Justin Herbert reason

"What has to be more concerning for coach Jim Harbaugh, though, is the regression of Herbert," Barnwell writes. "Through five weeks, Herbert is last among qualifying passers in Total QBR (26.6)."

Herbert's struggles in this offense are painfully obvious, and that might be what eventually does McDaniel in this season. If Herbert doesn't start to look more comfortable in this offense, it could be the end of McDaniel's tenure as offensive coordinator.

Barnwell elaborated further, noting that this offense "can't break Herbert," because if it does, there will be zero reason to keep McDaniel this season.

MORE: Jim Harbaugh gives worrying answer after Chargers fall to 0-5

While the offensive line is banged up and the skill groups are underwhelming and injured, the poor play from Herbert is a massive issue for the Chargers.

Herbert is supposed to be the franchise quarterback in Los Angeles, and there should be so much to like about his game. But so far, through five weeks in 2026, Herbert looks like one of the worst quarterbacks in the league.

He still has plenty of talent; that's evident every week. But the overall play from Herbert is incredibly worrisome. Those struggles make a potential decision to fire McDaniel mid-season make a lot of sense.

McDaniel is on the hot seat for some obvious reasons, but he might end up getting fired if Herbert, the one player he can't mess up with, continues to look like a shell of his former self.

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