Chargers Poised to Shake Up Offense with Mike McDaniel Hire—What This Means for Their Super Bowl Hopes

Mike McDaniel’s recent decision to skip a second interview with the Browns raised eyebrows, but now the fog is clearing. Word on the street is that he’s gearing up to take the reins as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator. This move pairs him with the ever-colorful Jim Harbaugh and the electrifying Justin Herbert—setting the stage for what could be a real showcase of McDaniel’s innovative coaching chops. Having helmed the Dolphins for four seasons with a slightly above .500 record, McDaniel’s next chapter could redefine his trajectory, possibly catapulting him into the A-list coaching club by 2027. While the head coach spots in Baltimore and Las Vegas still linger as possibilities, this new alliance with the Chargers might just be the perfect petri dish for his next big break. And honestly, with both McDaniel and Harbaugh’s quirks, who knows? The Chargers might just steal the spotlight come August on Hard Knocks. LEARN MORE

Well, now we know why Mike McDaniel passed on a second interview for the Browns’ head-coaching job.

Via multiple reports, McDaniel will become the new offensive coordinator of the Chargers.

It gives McDaniel a chance to partner with coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert. And it gives McDaniel an opportunity to author the kind of performance that sets him up to potentially become an A-list candidate in 2027.

McDaniel coached the Dolphins for four seasons, with a record of 35-33 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs.

He had drawn head-coaching interest, and it’s apparently possible he could still pivot to a bigger job. As noted by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, no deal has been signed. He remains in play for the top jobs with the Ravens and Raiders.

For now, however, McDaniel is on track to partner with Jim Harbaugh. Both are quirky. Both are unique. And we can only hope that the Chargers will be the focal point of Hard Knocks in August.