Ravens, Raiders, Browns' Top HC Candidates After Mike McDaniel Reportedly Hired as Chargers OC

With Tuesday's news that Mike McDaniel is expected to join the Los Angeles Chargers as the team's offensive coordinator, the question now becomes how teams that were pursuing him as a potential head coach will pivot, namely the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

Baltimore has cast an extremely wide net in its coaching search, though some of the names they interviewed have already taken other gigs:

Given that, their current frontrunners for the position are the men who have already received second interviews: Anthony Weaver, Jesse Minter and Joe Brady.

While Weaver and Minter would bring a defensive background to the position, Brady has spent the past three years working with Josh Allen in Buffalo. That experience could make him a logical pairing with Lamar Jackson.

In Las Vegas, meanwhile, a similarly extensive search has taken place:

The current frontrunners, based on second interviews, are the aforementioned Minter and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the Raiders ultimately went with an offensive mind like Klint Kubiak or Nate Scheelhaase, however, with the high likelihood that they'll be drafting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top overall pick. Pairing Mendoza with an ascending offensive mind would make sense.

Finally, the Browns have second interviews with Minter, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

While the Ravens have their quarterback situation locked down and the Raiders seem likely to in April, the Browns have huge question marks at the position, with neither Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel overly impressive in 2025. That could potentially impact which coaches see the Browns as the best fit and could mean a younger coach hungry for a first head-coaching gig will ultimately be the choice.