Mike McDaniel’s name continues to swirl around the NFL coaching carousel, and for good reason. The former Miami Dolphins head coach is one of the more intriguing figures on the market this offseason, and while all signs point toward him joining Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Los Angeles Chargers as offensive coordinator, nothing’s been signed just yet.
McDaniel has kept his options open, and that’s not just lip service. He’s been actively interviewing for head-coaching vacancies around the league, signaling that he’s not ready to close the door on leading a team again just yet.
One of those opportunities was with the Buffalo Bills, who recently parted ways with longtime head coach Sean McDermott. A meeting between McDaniel and Bills brass was scheduled for Friday, but according to reports, McDaniel pulled out before the two sides ever sat down.
That cancellation leaves some questions about where his priorities lie-but also reinforces the idea that he’s being selective, possibly holding out for the right fit.
This marks the second time during this hiring cycle that McDaniel has turned down a team. Earlier this week, he was one of four coaches to back out of a second interview with the Cleveland Browns.
That’s a notable trend-McDaniel is clearly in demand, but he's not jumping at every opportunity. He’s evaluating his next move carefully, and with multiple teams still searching for a head coach, he’s playing his cards with patience.
The Las Vegas Raiders are still in the mix for McDaniel, and that job could be one of the few remaining that truly piques his interest. He’s already interviewed for the role, and the Raiders haven’t made a final decision yet. Meanwhile, other teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are still hunting for their next head coach, so the landscape could shift quickly if one of them makes a strong push.
Still, the Chargers remain the most likely landing spot-at least if McDaniel doesn’t land a head job. He met with the team earlier this week to discuss the offensive coordinator role, and while a deal hasn’t been finalized, the expectation is that he’ll join Harbaugh’s staff unless something unexpected changes the equation.
There’s also a wildcard element here. Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could emerge late in the process and try to lure McDaniel away, even if it’s for a coordinator position. But given his apparent commitment to the Chargers, that seems like a long shot unless one of those teams offers him the top job.
Bottom line: McDaniel is in control of his coaching future right now. Whether he ends up calling plays in Los Angeles or leading a team of his own, he’s going to land somewhere with the potential to make a serious impact.