The Las Vegas Raiders are still deep in the thick of their offseason overhaul, and at this point, there are more questions than answers - especially when it comes to who will be calling plays on offense in 2026. With no head coach in place yet, it’s hard to predict how the offensive staff will take shape. But one thing's clear: Raider Nation had their sights set on a potential game-changer.
That name? Mike McDaniel.
The former Dolphins head coach has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most creative offensive minds. His system is quarterback-friendly, motion-heavy, and designed to keep defenses guessing - something the Raiders could desperately use. Pairing a sharp offensive architect like McDaniel with a young quarterback would’ve given Las Vegas a much-needed identity on that side of the ball.
McDaniel did interview for the Raiders’ head coaching job, keeping hope alive for a while. But that hope took a hit on Tuesday.
After pulling himself out of the running for the Browns' head coaching vacancy, speculation swirled that he might join Robert Saleh’s staff with the Titans. That never materialized.
Instead, all signs now point to McDaniel heading to Los Angeles - not as a head coach, but as the Chargers’ next offensive coordinator.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McDaniel is expected to take the OC job in L.A., and he’s reportedly told other teams that he’s out of the running - unless something major changes. That’s a tough pill for Raiders fans to swallow.
It’s one thing to miss out on a top-tier offensive mind. It’s another to have to face him twice a year in the division.
But there’s still a wrinkle here. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added that no deal has been finalized yet.
McDaniel remains a candidate for head coaching gigs in both Las Vegas and Baltimore. If either team steps up with an offer, he could walk away from the Chargers before anything’s signed.
So where does that leave the Raiders?
It’s complicated. Is McDaniel the best option as a head coach?
Maybe not. But he’s certainly a compelling one.
He brings innovation, energy, and a proven track record of elevating quarterbacks - all things the Raiders need as they look to develop a young signal-caller and reshape their identity. Hiring him would also deal a blow to the Chargers, who are banking on McDaniel to unlock Justin Herbert and revamp an offense that stalled last season.
Still, the odds of that happening feel slim. The Chargers offer McDaniel a ready-made quarterback in Herbert, a strong foundation, and a chance to rebuild his résumé in a high-profile market. Unless the Raiders are ready to go all-in and hand him the keys as head coach, it’s hard to see him passing up the L.A. opportunity.
And let’s be real - offensive coordinator deals fall apart all the time. Just ask the Raiders, who were on the verge of hiring Kliff Kingsbury before he pivoted to Washington. That move didn’t pan out for either side, and it’s a reminder that nothing is final until ink hits paper.
But everything coming out of the league right now suggests McDaniel wants to be in Los Angeles. It’s a smart landing spot, and unless the Raiders or Ravens make a serious push, it looks like that’s where he’s headed.
For Las Vegas, that means preparing for a 2026 season where they’ll have to face a Mike McDaniel-led offense twice - an offense that, if he gets it humming, could be much more dangerous than what they’ve seen from the Chargers in recent years. That’s a tall task for a defense that’s already got its hands full in the AFC West.
This could go down as a missed opportunity for the Raiders. But the coaching carousel is far from over. John Spytek and Tom Brady are steering the ship now, and if they can land a sharp offensive mind - whether at head coach or coordinator - this chapter might soon be forgotten.
But for now, the Raiders are still searching. And McDaniel, it seems, is headed west.