The hopes of getting one of the top offensive coordinator candidates in the offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles were dashed before they could even interview him.
ESPN NFL reporters Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington reported that former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has decided to take the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator job barring a change of heart. Darlington added that McDaniel was the top choice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Eagles for their offensive coordinator openings, but he decided he wanted to work with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Bucs and the Eagles both pursued McDaniel as their top OC target. The Bucs were especially diligent in their courtship, and McDaniel was very engaged with them throughout. Ultimately, the lure of getting back to California and coaching Justin Herbert proved strongest. https://t.co/CGKw5wgGTz
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 21, 2026
The first sign of trouble for the Eagles was that earlier in the day, while scheduled to meet with the Chargers, McDaniel told the Cleveland Browns he would be withdrawing his name from consideration for the head coach position. Unless a better head coach job opens up for McDaniel, it appears as though he will be heading west.
Crushing blow for the Eagles as the search for an offensive coordinator continues
This is the one that everyone in Philadelphia wanted. A smart and creative offensive mind who could get the running game going while helping develop Jalen Hurts and use his skill set the right way.
The tough part is that the Eagles never even got a chance to bring him in for an interview. That remains a big mystery: why Philly couldn't get that done, since their job is one of the best in the NFL.
Philly's offensive coordinators since Nick Sirianni has been the head coach have landed head coaching jobs twice. The only times where they have failed is when Sirianni has promoted from within his staff to first time play callers.
Now, for the Eagles, they have to hang on to the hope that former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll will take the offensive coordinator job. Daboll has already interviewed with the Eagles and should be considered the number one candidate for the job, but will be waiting for an answer on other head coaching opportunities. The one job to keep an eye on is the Buffalo Bills head coach opening, where he is expected to be one of the top candidates.
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This is now becoming a nerve-wracking experience for the Eagles with the top candidates being lost out. Sirianni and company better get aggressive before they lose out on other top guys.