In a league where head coaching interviews are often treated like golden tickets, Mike McDaniel is charting his own course - and doing it with a level of decisiveness that’s turning heads around the NFL.
This week, McDaniel made waves by pulling out of not one, but two head coaching interviews. First, he removed himself from consideration for the Cleveland Browns job. Now, it appears he’s doing the same with the Buffalo Bills, who are in the middle of a coaching search after parting ways with Sean McDermott.
McDaniel was scheduled to meet with Buffalo’s front office, but according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, that interview has been called off. Schultz noted that while McDaniel and the Los Angeles Chargers are still in contact, the more likely outcome at this point is McDaniel stepping into an offensive coordinator role - not a head coaching one.
“Both sides remain in contact for a potential interview, and there’s still a strong possibility he moves forward with the #Chargers OC job,” Schultz posted on X.
It’s an unusual move, no doubt. Coaches don’t typically walk away from head coaching opportunities - especially when they’re not already holding one.
But for McDaniel, this might be more about fit than title. After a turbulent exit from Miami, it looks like he’s being deliberate about his next step, and that’s resonating with fans across the league.
Social media lit up with reactions to the news. Some praised McDaniel’s clarity and self-awareness. Others speculated about the challenges that come with certain franchises - ownership concerns, roster limitations, and sky-high expectations.
“When evaluating jobs, how do you decide between a less-than-ideal owner and an all-time talent at QB?” one fan wrote, referencing the dynamic between team infrastructure and quarterback play - a subtle nod to Josh Allen in Buffalo and McDaniel’s past experience with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
Another fan applauded McDaniel’s confidence: “I like a coach who is very confident about where he wants to go and where he doesn’t! Good luck, Coach McDaniel!”
Others pointed out the pressure that comes with the Buffalo job. “Expectations are Super Bowl or bust,” one user wrote.
“Despite Josh [Allen], that roster isn’t of that caliber. He wants his second job to be the right one.”
There was also a more sobering take: “He knows he would literally just be satisfying the Rooney Rule,” one fan suggested - a reference to the NFL’s policy requiring teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs.
And then there were those who simply chalked it up to a smart read of the situation. “McDaniel understands he’s not really the guy either team is looking for,” one fan observed. “The narrative that this type of thing only happens to the Browns is played out.”
Whatever the reason, McDaniel’s decision to step back from multiple head coaching opportunities is rare - and telling. It suggests a coach who’s in no rush to grab the first job offered. Instead, he’s waiting for the right job, one that gives him the tools and support to succeed long-term, not just a title and a clipboard.
And if that means taking a step back into a coordinator role, so be it. For McDaniel, this might not be about climbing the ladder - it might be about building something that lasts when he gets to the top.