The Los Angeles Chargers are poised to hire former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator. Almost no development this offseason could be more exciting.
In spite of his sub-par record his last two seasons in Miami, McDaniel is among the league's elite offensive playcallers. Even if this job represents a stepping stone back into head coaching for McDaniel, the Chargers will benefit greatly from what he can bring even in the short-term.
This could be their first true opportunity to maximize Justin Herbert's elite skill-set.
Yet there is a chance that McDaniel does not come to Los Angeles alone. The Chargers must hope that Frank Smith, their former offensive line coach and McDaniel's offensive coordinator in Miami, joins him.
Such a move would represent an absolutely ideal start to the offseason.
Frank Smith could join Mike McDaniel in Los Angeles
Whatever you may think of Greg Roman, it's hard to deny that he was limited severely this past season by the performance of the offensive line.
The loss of both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater proved to be insurmountable, and the sub-par performance of Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton left Herbert continuously vulnerable to opposing pass rushes. The Chargers allowed the second-most sacks in the NFL this season and were embarassingly bad in their Wild Card loss to the New England Patriots.
In 2021, when Smith was hired as Los Angeles's offensive line coach and running game coordinator, the team finished with the fifth-fewest sacks allowed in the league. They had overhauled the line in free agency, and Smith was able to maximize the talent he had available.
If the Chargers are able to replace both Bozeman and Becton this offseason, Smith could have a prime opportunity to do it again.
With a savvy offensive coordinator and an offensive line coach that has proved himself both to the organization and to McDaniel, one could expect a major turnaround for the Los Angeles offense in 2026.
Moreover, McDaniel almost certainly does not represent a long-term solution at offensive coordinator. As soon as he impresses the league with his performance, there will be teams eager to give him another shot at head coach.
Smith, with over 16 years of coaching experience at the NFL level, could be his ideal replacement.
McDaniel's hire is not yet entirely confirmed. He is still technically a candidate for the Baltimore Ravens' and Las Vegas Raiders' vacancies at head coach.
However, assuming the two sides are able to come to a resolution, Smith joining him could prove to be the Chargers' greatest gift this offseason.