Update: According to Adam Schefter, the Chargers are hiring Mike McDaniel to become the team's next offensive coordinator. Despite the Eagles and Buccaneers both reportedly having him as their top candidate, McDaniel is choosing Justin Herbert and Los Angeles' offense over everything else.
A good move, to say the least.
Original Story begins here:
Mike McDaniel has firmly emerged as the fan-favorite leader in the clubhouse for the LA Chargers' offensive coordinator opening. Regardless of how the end of his Miami Dolphins tenure went, McDaniel is still regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the sport.
That is exactly what the Chargers need after a disappointing playoff loss where the team scored only three points. Justin Herbert is entering the make-or-break stage of his career and getting an offensive coordinator of McDaniel's caliber would do wonders for him and the offense.
The Chargers may have the best offensive coordinator job available, but they also have to compete with various head coaching jobs that may interest McDaniel. It wouldn't be unfathomable for McDaniel to spurn the chance to coach Herbert so he can pilot his own team as a head coach.
However, that may not be how McDaniel is looking at the situation. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, McDaniel removed himself from contention for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job before his second interview with the team. More importantly, McDaniel withdrew from contention on the same day he interviewed with the Chargers.
Mike McDaniel's odds of joining the Chargers staff just went up
McDaniel is in the running for other head coaching opportunities, so the Chargers aren't completely out of the woods yet. He is still a candidate for the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders jobs, according to Pelissero.
Interestingly enough, those are the two favorites for Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter if he leaves the team. Minter, who previously coached in Baltimore, may be the favorite to take over for John Harbaugh.
If so, that would leave the Raiders job as the lone opening for McDaniel. As great as Fernando Mendoza looks in college, McDaniel may not want to join a situation in a loaded division with an unknown quarterback. If he fails there, he likely won't get another chance at being a head coach.
He definitely will get another chance if he takes the Chargers job and helps Jim Harbaugh pilot the team to a Super Bowl. McDaniel is already getting head coaching buzz now, just imagine what that would look like if he's finally the one who realizes Herbert's full potential. Teams will line up for his services.
The Browns were probably the smallest threat to hire McDaniel out of all the teams that have a head coaching vacancy, but it doesn't change how significant his withdrawal is. It proves that McDaniel won't settle for a subpar situation, regardless of title.
And of all the possibilities, the Chargers may just be the best fit.