Former Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel has officially joined the Los Angeles Chargers as the team's new OC. McDaniel was previously linked to L.A. but was still entertaining potential HC openings. We expected this deal to be finalzied after McDaniel withdrew his name from Cleveland's HC search and canceled an interview with the Bills last Friday. McDaniel's hiring looks promising for a Chargers' offense that is stacked with young talent but was ravaged by injuries in 2025.
Fantasy Football Impact
Even with Tua Tagovailoa's limitations, McDaniel's offenses generally fared well in Miami. Dating back to his lone season as San Francisco's OC in 2021, McDaniel-coached offenses have ranked 13th or better in total yards in four of his five seasons:
- 2021 (SF) - seventh
- 2022 (MIA) - sixth
- 2023 (MIA) - first
- 2024 (MIA) - 13th
- 2025 (MIA) - 26th
The Dolphins bottomed out last season, but Tagovailoa missed three starts, and WR Tyreek Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4.
McDaniel will replace Greg Roman, who was fired after the Chargers finished 12th in total yards but 20th in scoring.
LA's O-line was a disaster last season after losing OTs Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (leg) to season-ending injuries.
RB Omarion Hampton, WRs Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre Harris, and TE Oronde Gadsden give McDaniel and the Chargers quality young pieces to build around.
McDaniel has proven he can scheme a quality NFL offense. His arrival should deliver a big upgrade for LA's emerging skill-position players.