Chargers Name Mike McDaniel As OC – What Does It Mean For Key Players?

The Los Angeles Chargers have found themselves a new offensive coordinator. 

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was confirmed this week to become the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator.

McDaniel got his start in the NFL in 2005 as a coaching intern for the Denver Broncos. He bounced around the league for a bit before getting a chance to be the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. They went 10-7 and reached the conference championship.

McDaniel was hired by the Dolphins in 2022. They made the playoffs in his first two seasons as a head coach. The decline of Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa over the past two seasons has kept them out of the playoffs. He was fired after going 7-10 in the 2025 season.  

The Chargers fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman after the team scored just three points in the wild-card game against the New England Patriots. Roman was previously the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. He won Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019. 

Head coach Jim Harbaugh looks to get the Chargers further into the playoffs than the wild-card game in 2026. A team with Justin Herbert at quarterback and the 20th-ranked offense was just unacceptable.

Although McDaniel’s offensive abilities could help the team, they’ll need more than just a coaching change. Pro Football Focus ranked the Chargers’ offensive line 30th in the league. Their best offensive lineman is left tackle Joe Alt. Alt made the Pro Bowl this season despite playing just six games. The Dolphins ranked 29th according to Pro Football Focus.