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. The writing was on the wall 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
The upgrade from Tua Tagovailoa to Justin Herbert was a major consideration for McDaniel.
Even with 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 four of his five seasons:
• 2021 (SF) - 7th
• 2022 (MIA) - 6th
• 2023 (MIA) - 1st
• 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 offense but 20th in scoring.
LA's O-line was a disaster last season after losing 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 prove to be a big upgrade for LA's emerging skill-position players.