Exclusive: Did Mike McDaniel Ruin His Career By Joining Chargers? Chris Simms Was Frank

Mike McDaniel swapped out one job with a sunny backdrop for another by landing with the Los Angeles Chargers after losing his job with the Miami Dolphins. Part of the jump was a downgrade in status from head coach to offensive coordinator. However, sometimes it takes a setback to have a comeback.

At least, that is the impression NBC Sports’ Chris Simms left with LAFB Network in an exclusive conversation earlier this month. Simms was asked whether McDaniels’ addition changed things, a question Simms answered by looking at McDaniels’ overall situation.

“A great move by him,” Simms said. “You don’t just go be a head coach to be a head coach because if you get fired the second time, you’re done forever. So to go there, get a quarterback, now he can give them a little creativity and help him out on that side, yeah, I thought that was an awesome move.”

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Mike McDaniel will be tasked with elevating Justin Herbert and setting up his playmakers for success by calling the correct plays in sequence to confuse opposing defenses.

Mike McDaniel Returns To California In A Bigger Spotlight

While the career preservation angle was likely a factor in Mike McDaniel’s decision to join Los Angeles, another reason could make as much sense. McDaniel had spent half a decade working in California with the San Francisco 49ers. As a member of Kyle Shanahan’s staff, he worked as a run game coordinator between 2017 and 2020 before he was promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2021 season.

Under McDaniel and Shanahan, the 49ers finished with the seventh-best offense in the NFL in a 10-7 season that saw the team reach the NFC Championship with Jimmy Garoppolo.

He will attempt to elevate the Chargers to a similar level of offense after finishing 12th in yards per game in 2025.

Of course, unlike back then, Mike McDaniel will have many eyes on him in a way he did not have in 2021 as an up-and-comer. As a former head coach, he may have as much scrutiny as Jim Harbaugh. The question is whether McDaniel and Harbaugh will rise under the spotlight or shrink. Based on his resume, McDaniel has a good shot at succeeding thanks to quality offensive pieces to work with.

Herbert will be returning once again alongside Ladd McConkey and Omarion Hampton, combined with what should be a fully healthy offensive line. The Mentos are there, but will McDaniel be the Coca-Cola?