The Chargers appear to be zeroing in on their next offensive coordinator - and it’s a name that brings both creativity and head-coaching experience. According to multiple reports, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is expected to join Los Angeles as their new OC, a move that would pair one of the league’s most inventive offensive minds with one of its most physically gifted quarterbacks in Justin Herbert.
While no official deal is in place just yet, all signs point to McDaniel targeting the Chargers' job as his preferred landing spot. That’s notable, especially considering that he’s still technically in the mix for a head coaching gig elsewhere.
The Ravens remain a potential destination, but McDaniel has already withdrawn from the Browns’ head coaching search - a clear signal that the OC role in L.A. is more than just a fallback option. This is the job he wants.
McDaniel interviewed with the Chargers on Tuesday, and the mutual interest is real. He was also reportedly considered for the Titans’ offensive coordinator position under new head coach Robert Saleh, but Los Angeles offers a unique opportunity: a high-upside quarterback in Herbert, a roster with offensive weapons, and a franchise eager to take the next step after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Let’s not forget McDaniel’s résumé. At 42, he’s already logged over two decades in the NFL coaching ranks.
He broke in as a coaching intern with the Broncos back in 2005 and steadily climbed the ladder with stops in Houston, Washington, Cleveland, and Atlanta. His reputation really took off in San Francisco, where he served as the 49ers’ run game coordinator from 2017 to 2020 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021.
That success paved the way for his head coaching shot in Miami. Hired in 2022, McDaniel signed a four-year deal and brought a dynamic, motion-heavy offense to South Beach.
In four seasons with the Dolphins, he posted a 35-33 record and led the team to two playoff appearances - no small feat in an AFC loaded with elite quarterbacks and top-tier defenses. But after a 2025 season that fell short of expectations, Miami opted to move on.
Now, McDaniel could be headed west, where a fresh start and a quarterback like Herbert offer plenty of upside. For the Chargers, this hire would signal a clear commitment to maximizing their franchise QB’s prime years with a system designed to create space, confuse defenses, and keep the ball moving.
If McDaniel does finalize the move, it could be a game-changer for both him and the Chargers. Herbert has the arm talent and athleticism to thrive in a scheme built on timing, precision, and misdirection - all McDaniel trademarks. And after a head coaching stint that had its ups and downs, returning to a coordinator role could allow McDaniel to refocus on what he does best: designing offenses that hum.
Nothing’s official yet, but the Chargers and McDaniel look like a pairing that makes a lot of football sense. If this comes to fruition, the AFC West just got a little more interesting.