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Mike McDaniel is heading west after being fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
McDaniel is expected to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ next offensive coordinator, “barring a change of heart,” according to ESPN.
“McDaniel informed the other teams they were out, the Chargers clearly wanted him out and both teams are having dinner tonight,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday night. “But McDaniel is expected to stay in Los Angeles.”
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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel stands on the field before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on November 30, 2025. (Rich Story/Imagn Images)
The Chargers and head coach Jim Harbaugh moved on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman after a brutal loss to the New England Patriots in the wild-card round. Los Angeles finished 12th in yards per game (333.8), although they were middle of the pack in points scored (21.6).
McDaniel’s firing in Miami came as a surprise, as the owners supported him only to relieve him of his duties shortly after.
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller even said he was “at the scene of the crime” while in the middle of his exit interview with McDaniel as owner Stephen Ross “kicked the door open” about 10 minutes into their discussion.
DOLPHINS’ DARREN WALLER SAYS HE WAS KICKED OUT OF EXIT MEETING WITH COACH MIKE MCDANIEL BEFORE FIRING
“He comes in and joins the conversation,” Waller said. “We were all talking, thinking about the year, and Stephen Ross said to me, ‘I’m excited to see you again next year.’ Then the conversation stops. »
Since then, McDaniel has been flying all over interviewing for head coaching and offensive coordinator opportunities. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles have both pursued McDaniel as their top offensive coordinator candidate, according to ESPN.
However, the report adds that “the lure of returning to California and coaching Justin Herbert proved the strongest” as McDaniel was courted throughout the league.
The Dolphins made the playoffs twice in a row during McDaniel’s first two seasons as head coach, but were eliminated in the first round each time. The following season, they were eliminated after an unexpected loss to the New York Jets in the team’s season finale.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel leaves the field at the end of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on October 12, 2025. (Rich Story/Imagn Images)
McDaniel’s final season in Miami was tumultuous, highlighted by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles and eventual benching in the final three games of the season.
As one of his last major changes as head coach, McDaniel said this week that the Dolphins would hold a quarterback competition for the 2026 season, a move Tagovailoa appeared to welcome this week when he confirmed he was open to a “fresh start” elsewhere.
There is no quarterback competition for the Chargers. Herbert has been the star at the position since he was drafted sixth overall in 2020. He earned his second Pro Bowl nod this year after throwing for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions behind one of the worst offensive lines in football after losing tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt for the season.
Since taking over, Harbaugh has quickly led the Chargers back to the playoffs, but they are looking for that first playoff win under the veteran coach. They also lost in the wild-card round last season to the Houston Texans.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel walks to the locker room after the first half of a game on September 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Not only will McDaniel have a sharp and powerful quarterback, but there are some weapons to be optimistic about moving forward, including running backs Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal and receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
