Chargers' Mike McDaniel among early 2027 NFL head coach candidate list

Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could be back in the head-coaching mix sooner rather than later.

Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus listed 15 head-coaching candidates entering the season, and McDaniel made the list.

"McDaniel swiftly went from the NFL’s best up-and-coming coordinator to a disappointing head coach. Now, he finds himself back in the first loop of the cycle.

"McDaniel’s final two seasons in Miami didn’t match his initial two, as he went 15-19 while leading the 26th-ranked offense in EPA per play. Ultimately, his inability to overcome playoff struggles and work with backup quarterbacks proved fatal. Yet what shouldn’t be forgotten is the work he did with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle from 2022-23, spearheading one of the sport’s fastest and most explosive offenses.

"Now in Los Angeles, McDaniel has a perfect redemption opportunity while coaching Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton and a much-improved offensive line. If his creative, quick-paced system can give the Chargers the lift they’ve been seeking, he’ll be right back on the head-coaching doorstep."

McDaniel was at the helm of the Dolphins for the past four seasons. It was his first gig as head coach.

McDaniel's final two seasons in Miami left plenty to be desired, but his first two were the opposite. He led the Dolphins to back-to-back playoff appearances while overseeing the NFL's No. 1 total offense in 2023. Miami also finished with the league's top passing offense that season.

Overall, McDaniel compiled a 35-33 record in the regular season and a 0-2 record in the playoffs.

The 43-year-old was fired shortly after the end of the 2025 season, but quickly found a job as the Chargers' new offensive playcaller. McDaniel is expected to revolutionize the Chargers' offense and elevate Justin Herbert's game.

If McDaniel does just that and then some, there's a chance he'll be the hottest coaching candidate in the 2027 cycle.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' Mike McDaniel among early 2027 NFL head coach candidate list