The Los Angeles Chargers are in need of a new offensive coordinator after firing Greg Roman earlier this week.
I repeat, they are in desperate need.
With $110 million in cap space looming this offseason and a chance to hire a coordinator who can truly maximize Justin Herbert's talent, this is a massive decision.
A number of names have already been floated for the role, many of whom have direct connections to Jim Harbaugh. Many would argue that hiring a young, innovative coordinator would be the best route to take.
However, if familiarity is what they're looking for, quarterbacks coach Shane Day could soon be in line for a promotion.
A surprising choice for OC could be what finally unlocks Justin Herbert
The Chargers' search for an offensive coordinator and their ultimate hiring decision should come down to one central question. Who is best poised to truly maximize Herbert within the context of the offensive weapons he possesses?
Daniel Popper, in his article for The Athletic, details Day as a potential OC option for that very reason:
"Day has been Herbert’s quarterbacks coach through two systems. He was in the position under coordinator Joe Lombardi for two seasons from 2021 to 2022. He has also been in the same position under Roman for the past two seasons. He is the coach who is closest to Herbert, and he would be a logical replacement."Daniel Popper
Since Day has not been calling the plays for the Chargers' offense, it's difficult to extricate his and Roman's (and Joe Lombardi's) contributions to Herbert's success. There is, however, one isolating factor.
Following Los Angeles's playoff defeat at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, both Day and Lombardi were relieved of their duties in tandem. Day would spend the 2023 season with the Houston Texans as their senior offensive assistant. C.J. Stroud won Offensive Rookie of the Year that season, and the Texans finished seventh in total passing yards.
The fact that Day was brought back once Harbaugh became head coach also speaks to Herbert's familiarity with him.
The Chargers need an offensive coordinator who can truly comprehend who Herbert is as a quarterback. He is a capable scrambler and designed runner, and that skill should be used extensively. But it should be done with the intention of creating bigger openings for the run game and explosive plays downfield.
In short, their next offensive coordinator must be able to use Herbert to make the offense truly dangerous.
As Los Angeles's coaching search progresses, it will be easy to get caught up in some of the flashier names on the market. Knowing Harbaugh, however, his ultimate choice will likely be the least flashy: the most trusted and familiar.
It's fair to say that Day has a shot at the job, for better or for worse.