Mike McDaniel’s coaching journey took another twist this week, and it’s raising some eyebrows-especially in Cleveland.
After stepping away from the Browns’ head coaching search just days before a scheduled in-person interview, McDaniel accepted the offensive coordinator role with the Los Angeles Chargers under newly hired head coach Jim Harbaugh. That move alone was enough to stir conversation. But now, with McDaniel interviewing for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy while technically already on staff in L.A., the decision to bypass Cleveland is getting a whole new layer of scrutiny.
Veteran Cleveland reporter Tony Grossi didn’t hold back in his reaction, calling out what many Browns fans were already thinking: McDaniel’s willingness to explore another head coaching opportunity-just days after turning down Cleveland-says a lot about how he viewed the Browns’ opening. “Now THIS puts snub of Browns in a new perspective,” Grossi posted on social media.
McDaniel spent the last four seasons as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, compiling a 35-33 regular season record and making two playoff appearances, though both ended in losses. While his time in Miami didn’t produce postseason success, it did cement his status as one of the more innovative offensive minds in the league. That reputation clearly still holds weight-he’s now being considered for head coaching roles in Buffalo, Baltimore, and Las Vegas, even as he prepares to work under Harbaugh in L.A. if none of those jobs materialize.
Cleveland, meanwhile, continues its search for a new leader after parting ways with Kevin Stefanski following a disappointing 5-12 season. Stefanski, who won Coach of the Year twice during his tenure, finished with a 45-56 regular season record and a 1-2 playoff mark. He’s already landed on his feet as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, while the Browns retained Andrew Berry as general manager and now hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Browns have cast a wide net in their coaching search, interviewing a mix of established names and rising assistants, including Jim Schwartz, Tommy Rees, Dan Pitcher, Aden Durde, Todd Monken, Nate Scheelhaase, Jesse Minter, and Grant Udinski. But as of now, the team hasn’t satisfied the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirements, which mandate interviews with minority candidates. Until that box is checked, Cleveland can’t make a hire-even if they’ve zeroed in on their top choice.
One of the biggest question marks for any incoming coach will be the quarterback situation. Rookie Shedeur Sanders saw action in eight games this season, completing just 56.6% of his passes with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
He went 3-4 as a starter, showing flashes of potential but also plenty of growing pains. Whoever takes the reins in Cleveland will have to decide whether Sanders is the future-or if the Browns should look elsewhere with that high draft pick.
All of this makes McDaniel’s decision to pass on Cleveland even more intriguing. Whether it was about roster fit, organizational direction, or something else entirely, the fact that he’s now pursuing other head coaching gigs while already employed as a coordinator is telling.
For the Browns, it’s back to the drawing board. For McDaniel, the door to the head coaching ranks may not be closed just yet.