Shawne Merriman

“I think Mike McDaniel has made the best decision of his career,”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman told OutKick in a recent interview that McDaniel made the best decision of his career by joining the Chargers.

“Justin Herbert’s going to have that dark cloud over him until he gets deep into the playoffs, right? If he wasn’t so talented, I don’t think the expectations would still be so high. But he has all the tools to do it,”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman said Herbert will have a dark cloud over him until he reaches deep into the playoffs but believes he has all the tools to do it.

“That’s even outside of leaving the San Francisco 49ers. I think they had something fun, an explosive offense at one time with [Jaylen] Waddle, Tyreek Hill and things like that out in Miami. But he had an opportunity to get a head coaching job at a couple of places, and he didn’t feel it was right.”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman discussed McDaniel's prior situation in Miami and his decision to decline head coaching opportunities that didn't feel right.

“Justin Herbert had to be the biggest influence of going there, because now you have an explosive quarterback,”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman said Herbert was the biggest influence on McDaniel's decision to join the Chargers because of his explosive quarterback ability.

“He’s an explosive offensive coordinator, so the deep balls down the field, we’ve already seen Quentin Johnston down the field – he’s explosive. You’ve got Ladd McConkey who can work the middle of the field and get open in shorter routes. You have a hell of a running back that comes back healthy this year. …They have an explosive opportunity to win.”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman highlighted the Chargers' offensive weapons including Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and a returning healthy running back as reasons for their explosive opportunity to win.

“So, what happens is you take the best position that puts you back in the driver’s seat after this next year or two so you can go take the job you want.”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman explained McDaniel's strategy of taking the best available position to regain leverage for a future desired head coaching job.

“He’s tough as nails. He had that hand [injury], and he battled through it. I just have so much respect for Justin Herbert.”

Shawne Merriman · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-09

Merriman praised Herbert's toughness for battling through a hand injury and expressed deep respect for him.