Harbaugh: Chargers OC Mike McDaniel Will Continue Calling Plays

Harbaugh was recently non-committal when asked if McDaniel would still be the play-caller when the team comes back from its bye, saying they would “look at everything.” 

“We’re going to look at everything,” he said via ESPN’s Anthony Gharib. “The job I’m doing, it starts with me. The plan is we’ll watch this and get with our offensive coaches. … [Offense] Needs to be addressed.”

According to Pro Football Talk, there’s growing buzz in league circles that the Chargers will be moving on from McDaniel. 

PFT says senior offensive assistant Adam Gase would likely be the top candidate for interim OC, matching buzz from recent weeks.

Gase landed with the Chargers this offseason after five years of not coaching in the NFL following his firing as the head coach of the Jets. Before that, he was the play-caller for several teams. 

McDaniel, 42, started his coaching career in 2005 as an intern with the Broncos. From 2006-2016, he had stints as an offensive assistant and WR coach for Houston, Washington, Cleveland, and Atlanta before joining the 49ers as run game coordinator in 2017.

He remained in that position through 2020 and served as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2021. The Dolphins then hired him in 2022 and signed him to a four-year contract. He was fired by Miami following the 2025 season.

The Chargers hired McDaniel as their offensive coordinator ahead of the 2026 season. 

During his four years in Miami, McDaniel led them to a record of 35-33 (.515 winning percentage), including two playoff appearances.

In 2026 under McDaniel, the Chargers rank No. 30 in scoring offense and No. 26 in total offense, including No. 28 in passing and No. 13 in rushing.