Adam Gase is back in the NFL spotlight, and this time, he’s taking his talents to Los Angeles. After a five-year hiatus from professional football, the 47-year-old former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets has joined the Los Angeles Chargers as an assistant coach overseeing the passing game. The news, confirmed on February 9, 2026, ends Gase’s extended absence and places him at the heart of a significant coaching overhaul for the Chargers.

Gase’s journey back to the gridiron began after a tumultuous stint as head coach of the Jets, where he was dismissed following a dismal 2-14 campaign in 2020. That season, the Jets finished dead last in total offense, and Gase’s much-anticipated quarterback development project with Sam Darnold fell flat. In fact, Darnold’s struggles under Gase became a defining narrative of his New York tenure, only for the quarterback to later find Super Bowl glory with the Seattle Seahawks. Gase’s overall head coaching record stands at 32-49, with his only playoff appearance coming in 2016 during his first year with the Dolphins.

But let’s not forget, Gase was once considered one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds. When the Dolphins hired him in 2016, he was just 37 years old—the youngest head coach in the league at the time. His offensive acumen was forged during his years as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2013-14), where he worked hand-in-hand with Peyton Manning during the quarterback’s record-setting run. Under Gase’s guidance, Denver led the league in points scored per game, and his stock soared as he moved on to become the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator in 2015.

Despite those early successes, Gase’s head coaching stints never quite lived up to the hype. The Dolphins went 10-6 in his inaugural season, clinching a playoff berth, but they regressed in subsequent years, finishing with losing records and ranking near the bottom of the league in total offense. The Jets, hoping Gase could replicate his quarterback-whisperer magic, hired him in 2019, but the offense sputtered, and expectations quickly unraveled. Gase’s two-year tenure in New York produced just nine wins, including a franchise-worst 0-13 start in 2020, and he was promptly let go after the season finale.

Since departing the Jets, Gase kept his football mind sharp by working with The 33rd Team, a think tank that includes the likes of Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia. He also maintained connections within the NFL, occasionally appearing at Denver Broncos practices, thanks in part to his father-in-law Joe Vitt’s role as a senior defensive assistant on Sean Payton’s staff. Yet, despite speculation about his next move, Gase remained out of the coaching ranks until the Chargers came calling.

The Chargers’ decision to bring Gase aboard is part of a sweeping set of changes aimed at revitalizing the franchise after another early playoff exit. Following a 16-3 wild-card loss to the New England Patriots, Los Angeles fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and replaced him with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. The defensive side of the ball saw turnover as well, with Jesse Minter leaving for the Baltimore Ravens’ head coaching job and Chris O’Leary stepping in as defensive coordinator. Gase is expected to replace Marcus Brady, who is also heading to Baltimore to serve in a similar capacity.

“He’s back: After a five-year hiatus, Adam Gase returns to coaching in the NFL, joining the #Chargers as an assistant focusing on the passing game, sources say. The former #Jets and #Dolphins coach rose in the ranks as a record-setting offensive mind. Now back to his roots in LA,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on February 9, 2026.

Gase will now work closely with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, forming a trio of offensive strategists with diverse backgrounds and plenty of experience. The core of their challenge? Unlocking the full potential of star quarterback Justin Herbert, who, despite a fractured left hand late last season, managed to throw for 3,727 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Herbert, a two-time Pro Bowler and the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, is at the center of the Chargers’ playoff ambitions.

Yet, the offensive unit has room for improvement. Last season, the Chargers ranked 18th in passing yards and did not have a receiver eclipse the 800-yard mark. Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, both of whom topped 700 receiving yards in 2025, headline a receiving corps that’s talented but eager for a breakout. Gase’s job will be to elevate this group, working not only with Herbert but also with backup quarterbacks Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei, to create a more dynamic and consistent aerial attack.

The Chargers’ recent playoff history has been frustratingly consistent: three consecutive wild-card round exits, including two under Jim Harbaugh and one in 2022 under Brandon Staley. The hope in Los Angeles is that fresh perspectives on offense—thanks to both McDaniel and Gase—can finally push the team past its postseason ceiling. Additional coaching hires, such as Butch Barry as offensive line coach and Max McCaffrey as running backs coach, further signal a commitment to shaking things up.

Gase’s NFL journey has been a winding one, starting as an offensive assistant with the Detroit Lions in 2005 before moving through the ranks with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. His reputation was built on offensive innovation and quarterback development—traits the Chargers desperately need as they seek to maximize the prime years of Justin Herbert’s career.

Of course, skepticism lingers. Gase’s inability to sustain offensive success as a head coach, coupled with his high-profile failures in New York and Miami, means he arrives in Los Angeles with something to prove. Can he recapture the magic of his early days as an offensive coordinator? Or will old patterns resurface in a new city?

For now, the Chargers are betting that Gase’s experience and fresh perspective—tempered by a five-year break and time spent with some of the game’s great thinkers—will be the missing piece in their quest for postseason triumph. The action in Los Angeles is just beginning, and all eyes will be on how this new coaching staff comes together as the 2026 NFL season approaches.

With Adam Gase back on the sideline, the Chargers’ offense enters a new era—one filled with questions, high hopes, and the unmistakable sense that, this time, something different might finally be in store for Los Angeles football fans.