Titans' Robert Saleh hire might've just ended the Buccaneers' Mike McDaniel dream

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator search continues to unfold, Mike McDaniel has been the name at the top of many Bucs fans wish lists.

He has generated a lot of interest from teams with head coach openings, but Fox Sports' Greg Auman reported that McDaniel would consider a great offensive coordinator opening over a not great head coaching vacancy. The Buccaneers are one of the few teams that would be considered a premier opening for an offensive coordinator candidate.

Tampa Bay gained even more momentum in the hunt for McDaniel when the Detroit Lions, perhaps the only opening more attractive than the Buccaneers, shockingly passed up McDaniel in favor of former Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

But that momentum came to a screeching halt as a new team catapulted to the front of the McDaniel sweepstakes.

Titans could steal Mike McDaniel from Buccaneers after hiring Robert Saleh

McDaniel and Saleh began their NFL coaching careers together with the Houston Texans in 2006, where McDaniel was an offensive assistant and Saleh was a defensive assistant coach. They spent three years together on that coaching staff and reunited in San Francisco where McDaniel served as the run game coordinator and eventual offensive coordinator, while Saleh was the team's defensive coordinator.

It is being reported by SNY's NFL reporter Connor Hughes that Saleh had McDaniel at the top of his wish list for offensive coordinator in the event he landed a head coaching job.

The Buccaneers have one advantage in that they boast a far more talented offensive roster than Tennesee. They have a more proven quarterback in Baker Mayfield, one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL, and a far better offensive line.

But it's hard to overstate the importance of relationships in this business, and the Titans present McDaniel to coach alongside somebody he already has a strong working relationship with. He also would also be granted full autonomy of the offensive unit, as Saleh will have his hands full with head coaching duties and calling the defensive unit.

McDaniel would have the opportunity to coach former No. 1 overall pick in Cam Ward, and take the lead in his development going into his second season and beyond.

It won't be easy for the Buccaneers to compete with everything that the Titans opportunity can offer McDaniel, and Bucs fans hoping he'll choose Tampa Bay should brace themselves for a potential letdown as Tennessee has quickly surpassed the Bucs as the heavy favorite to land his services.