The Chargers needed to nail the offensive coordinator hire. And it seems like they have. Per several NFL insiders, Mike McDaniel is now expected to be OC for the Chargers next season. McDaniel interviewed for the vacancy today in a meeting that included Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh. He flew in from Miami after interviewing with the Raiders last night for their head coaching gig.
Per the reporting, a deal is not official. Yet there are "positive signs" that he will eventually be given the reins to the offense. Meetings continued late into Tuesday night with a dinner per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the afternoon that McDaniel had cancelled his scheduled Wednesday HC interview with the Cleveland Browns.
Assuming the Chargers can seal the deal, Mike McDaniel is a home run hire for offensive coordinator.
McDaniel was always the best choice for the Chargers. It was time for Jim Harbaugh's run game to be blended with modern Shanahan concepts. While Greg Roman did what he could considering the Chargers injuries this season, it never felt like it was enough to maximize Justin Herbert. Putting up three points vs. New England was simply part of a showing that magnified all of their regular season scheme and execution issues.
For obvious reasons, he's the best hire for Justin Herbert. If you want to unlock Herbert as part of a modern scheme, there was no better person to call. RPOs, quick game, screens, timing and speed were just all things that felt like pulling teeth in the current offense. Maximizing Herbert's talents should be easier than it was the past two seasons. Hiring McDaniel is at least an acknowledgement of that.
Harbaugh said at the end of season presser that there would still be an emphasis on tough, physical running of the football. And while McDaniel is valued around the league for the passing fireworks he created in Miami, he's one of the best run game developers as well. Even in a down offensive season for the Dolphins in 2025, McDaniel's wide zone running scheme with De'Von Achane put up numbers. Miami was ninth in EPA per rush this season.
Brian Daboll would've been a fine hire. The fanbase could've eventually talked themselves into an Arthur Smith. But going with McDaniel made it clear that Harbaugh saw systemic issues that required overhaul. As Mike Ehrmantraut once said in Breaking Bad, "no more half measures".
Overhauling the Chargers' gap heavy power scheme won't be easy. But they now have the guy that can blend the best of Harbaugh football with his modern approach. They now have a "head coach of the offense" as Harbaugh said himself in his season-ending presser. He'll certainly have a say in personnel.
Even if McDaniel eventually leaves next year to accept a head coaching job, he'll have overhauled the scheme from what it was for another coordinator to then build on. The Chargers need to build the offensive foundation before they start thinking of 2027 or 2028 coaching cycles.
McDaniel was always the best candidate for the job and the Chargers got him. Sometimes, it just is that simple.