Chargers’ Mike McDaniel calls upcoming week with 49ers a ‘career segment’

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel considers this week's scrimmage and game against the San Francisco 49ers a "career segment" as he embarks on new beginnings with the team. McDaniel, who previously worked under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers' head coach, described the upcoming matchup as a "nice little asterisk of excitement" due to the familiarity of coaching against his long-time friend and mentor.

The two coaches first began working together in 2011, when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, and McDaniel followed him to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. McDaniel served as an offensive assistant for Shanahan before becoming the team's offensive coordinator in 2021. During his time with the 49ers, the team ranked 7th in offense, averaging 375.7 yards per game and scoring 25.1 points per game.

McDaniel's success with the 49ers led to his hiring as head coach of the Miami Dolphins the following year, but he was later fired from the Dolphins during the offseason. McDaniel is now with the Chargers, eager to coach against his former mentor and compete against a formidable team during this important week.