Contrary to popular belief, Kyle Shanahan isn’t doing things all by himself in San Francisco. He often leans on McDaniel, the team’s run-game coordinator who has been a Shanahan confidant since 2015 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Even a cursory examination of San Francisco’s film shows that this team is a smashmouth team first and foremost, as Raheem Mostert and their stable of backs running outside zone until the defensive coordinator pukes was successful enough to almost win them a Super Bowl in 2019. San Francisco didn’t lose a ton of assistants from that team, but McDaniel might be the first one to go.
The Jets are in desperate need of some offensive innovation, but that is especially pressing in the running game, as Gase’s ineptitude has managed to turn a perennial Pro Bowler in Le’Veon Bell into a below-average back.
McDaniel’s offensive innovation might be enough to both improve Bell’s status as a ball carrier whole improving their offensive line’s ability to get Bell some holes. Having been around Shanahan, he’s certainly learned a thing or two about scheming people open. Darnold will receive the best coaching he’s bad by a country mile if the Jets hire McDaniel, though his relative lack of experience is a bit concerning.