The Los Angeles Chargers are hoping for an offensive resurgence under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Although the final two seasons with the Miami Dolphins were rough for McDaniel, he has found immense success in the past utilizing his creative run scheme and stripped-back passing game. As a head coach, he turned the Dolphins into the best offense in the league in 2023.
Yet a recent offseason prediction for the Chargers goes back even further than that: to McDaniel's lone season as offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
Zachary Pereles at CBS Sports has predicted Los Angeles will target Deebo Samuel in free agency this offseason. As unlikely as it may seem, the versatile wide receiver could be the piece McDaniel needs to truly unlock this offense.
Deebo Samuel could be a sneaky target for the Chargers' offense this offseason
On one hand, a Samuel signing seems improbable. The Chargers have major needs to address on their offensive line this offseason, and their receiving core is already relatively deep.
Samuel has also declined somewhat since his highly impressive days in San Francisco. Last season with the Washington Commanders, he amassed just 727 yards and five touchdowns on 72 receptions.
Yet there is a link that makes this move intriguing at the very least. Samuel's best season, the one most fans probably remember him for, took place in 2021 under Mike McDaniel's scheme. Samuel was used as an exceedingly versatile option in that offense, taking handoffs out of the backfield and presenting a formidable contested catch threat in the passing game.
That season, he garnered 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. He added to that with 365 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
The 49ers offense finished 2021 seventh in total yards and 13th in total points.
McDaniel has stated that a primary goal of his in Los Angeles is to secure easy completions for Justin Herbert, unlocking the offense as a result.
Is there a better way to do that than to furnish McDaniel with a familiar schematic weapon?
Samuel will not come cheap even with his down year in 2025. Depending on the outlet, he's projected to earn somewhere in the $15 million range of annual value. If Keenan Allen departs in free agency, Samuel could be the ideal option to complement the speed and shiftiness of Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
It remains an unlikely scenario, but the possibility should have Chargers fans intrigued.