The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of several teams in the NFL who are exploring the possibility of adding Mike McDaniel to their coaching staff. After being fired by the Miami Dolphins after the end of their season, he instantly became a top candidate for head coach and offensive coordinator openings, because of his respected offensive mind.
Buccaneers fans are hoping they’re the team McDaniel ultimately lands with, and Tampa Bay has a hidden advantage that could assist in that happening. NFL reporter Jeff Darlington recently shared that the Buccaneers’ job could appeal to McDaniel more than the other offensive coordinator openings, because of the fact that Todd Bowles is a defensive head coach. That means the former Dolphins coach will likely have full control of the offense.
The latest on a few offensive coordinator openings around the NFL. Watch for interest in Daboll and McDaniel in Philadelphia. But don’t count out McDaniel elsewhere. If HC jobs don’t line up… He very much likes the idea of a few other OC jobs, too. pic.twitter.com/QkPfoKlxXO
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 15, 2026
Todd Bowles being a defensive coach could help the Buccaneers land Mike McDaniel
If McDaniel has the opportunity to be a head coach again, he will probably take it. However, if his next job is being an offensive coordinator, his current options, of teams with a head coach in place already, are the Bucs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers. As Darlington pointed out, of those four coaches (Bowles, Nick Sirianni, Dan Campbell, and Jim Harbaugh), three lean offensively.
Bowles is the only defensive guy, and that matters, because McDaniel would essentially be the head coach of the offense in Tampa. He’d be able to hire his own staff, and run the show on that side of the ball. That certainly has to appeal to someone who has been a head coach before, and is also considered an offensive mastermind. If the decision is ultimately in McDaniel’s hands, that will be something for him to think about.
He would certainly have a lot to work with in Tampa Bay, as the Bucs already have an established veteran quarterback and plenty of weapons. Additionally, Tampa Bay is a team that could help McDaniel become a head coach again. Prior to Josh Grizzard being fired, Dave Caneles served as the OC in 2023, and Liam Coen had the job in 2024. They were both one-and-done because they became head coaches. If McDaniel comes to Tampa Bay and gets the Buccaneers offense back rolling, he could have the same fate.