Because Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has seemingly been cursed with an insane lack of continuity from his offensive play-callers, the firing of Josh Grizzard has forced the Bucs to once again try to find an offensive coordinator who can get this offense turned around.
After being fired by the Miami Dolphins following four painfully average seasons, Mike McDaniel has become the hottest name on the market due to his history of designing creative offenses. Bucs fans are seemingly very perturbed that Tampa hasn't been able to squeeze an interview in with him, but an NFL insider has swooped in to calm this fanbase down.
Jeff Darlington reported that McDaniel has a very busy schedule, as he talked with three different teams on Monday while planning one interview for each of the next three days and looking to see if any other offensive coordinator vacancies open up in the next few days.
McDaniel is likely to keep taking interviews as he tries to find where he will be plying his trade in the 2026 season, which means he may end up with Tampa Bay at the end of the day. The Bucs will need to prove they can be the best spot for him to rehabilitate his stock in the league, however.
Mike McDaniel could still be named Bucs OC despite flurry of interviews
McDaniel's offenses were off to a flying start when Tua Tagovailoa wasn't beset by injuries and Tyreek Hill was at the top of his game. Getting someone like Mayfield under center might enable McDaniel to do things he was unable to with Tagovailoa under center, particularly down the field vertically.
Unfortunately, Tampa Bay is not a premier job for an offensive coordinator like McDaniel. Not only is Todd Bowles on the hot seat, which could lead to another change in employment for McDaniel, but Mayfield's regression and Mike Evans showing his age might scare away some coaches.
McDaniel will not only have some prime offensive coordinator jobs lined up, like the Detroit Lions or almost assuredly soon-to-be vacant Philadelphia Eagles position, but he may even bounce right back as a head coach. McDaniel is one of the hottest commodities on the market.
Not only would McDaniel supercharge an offense that needs some sort of spark to wake back up after such an extended slumber, but he could also become a prime candidate to replace Bowles internally if things go sideways in 2026.