The Los Angeles Chargers are eyeing Mike McDaniel for their offensive coordinator role, but that plan is far from locked in. McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach, remains in the mix for several head coaching vacancies across the league-and those opportunities could easily pull him away from L.A.
According to reports, McDaniel is set to interview with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching job. That meeting is scheduled for Friday, and it's a significant development in what’s become a high-stakes offseason for several teams looking to reset at the top. For McDaniel, it’s another shot at leading a franchise, and right now, he’s keeping all options on the table.
Here’s the current picture: if McDaniel doesn’t land one of the remaining head coaching jobs, he’s expected to take the Chargers’ OC position. But that’s a big “if.” He's still very much in the running for multiple head coaching gigs, including with the Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders.
McDaniel’s name has been circulating heavily this hiring cycle. He previously interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans-all of whom have now filled their vacancies. The Cleveland Browns were also lining up a second interview before McDaniel pulled himself out of contention, likely to focus on more promising opportunities.
The Bills job, in particular, stands out. With Josh Allen under center and a roster built to compete right now, Buffalo offers a chance to step into a win-now situation. That’s not the kind of opportunity a coach like McDaniel, known for his creative offensive mind, takes lightly.
Then there’s the Raiders. They’re sitting on a mountain of cap space and hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft-a pick widely expected to be used on quarterback Fernando Mendoza. That’s the kind of long-term project that could appeal to a coach looking to build something from the ground up with full control.
All of this puts the Chargers in a bit of a holding pattern. They clearly value McDaniel’s offensive acumen and want him to help shape their next chapter.
But until the head coaching dominoes fall, they’ll have to wait and see if he’s still available. If McDaniel ends up taking a top job elsewhere, the Chargers will be back to square one in their OC search.
Bottom line: McDaniel is one of the hottest names on the market right now, and his next move could shift the landscape for multiple teams. Whether he ends up calling plays in Los Angeles or leading a franchise in Buffalo or Las Vegas, his decision will ripple across the league.