Chargers news: Mike McDaniel hilariously roasts Cardinals' Mike LaFleur
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is already having some fun before Week 1.
McDaniel will see a familiar face when the Chargers host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, as new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur spent years working alongside McDaniel earlier in their coaching careers.
When asked about the advantages and disadvantages of facing a coach who knows him so well, McDaniel delivered exactly the type of response you'd expect.
Mike McDaniel on the advantages/disadvantages of going up against Mike LaFleur, who he coached on multiple staffs with:
“I guess you’d prefer to go against terrible coaches, right?” pic.twitter.com/T3KQp170cT
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 10, 2026
“I guess you'd prefer to go against terrible coaches, right?” McDaniel said.
Of course, McDaniel was joking. He and LaFleur spent four seasons together on Kyle Shanahan's staff with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-20 before both received offensive coordinator opportunities in 2021.
McDaniel became San Francisco's offensive coordinator, while LaFleur left to take the same position with the New York Jets.
Their careers went in different directions from there. McDaniel became the Miami Dolphins' head coach in 2022 before eventually landing with Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers this offseason. LaFleur remained an offensive coordinator, spending three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams after his time with the Jets before Arizona hired him as its head coach this offseason.
Now the longtime colleagues get to square off immediately. There's familiarity on both sides, which should create an interesting chess match. LaFleur understands plenty about McDaniel's offensive philosophy, while McDaniel has years of experience working alongside Arizona's new coach.
The Chargers and Cardinals meet on Sunday for what should be a competitive game in Southern California. The Bolts aim to get back to the playoffs, whereas the Cardinals will focus on shocking the world.