Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has been a big ticket item this offseason. He’s interviewing for several of the head coaching vacancies around the league, but also keeping his options open at offensive coordinator. The Bucs are in on the McDaniel sweepstakes as it was reported by Greg Auman of Fox Sports that McDaniel is meeting with Tampa Bay on Friday.

As Auman said in his tweet, McDaniel is open to taking an offensive coordinator position over a head coaching job if the situation is better. Ultimately, that’s up for McDaniel to decide if he gets each offer, but its hard not to think that calling plays for the Bucs’ offense is an intriguing one over some of the lesser teams in the league that he could be a head coach for.

Mike McDaniel’s Coaching History

McDaniel has a lot of experience around great offenses and being a play caller himself. He worked as an offensive assistant on the Commanders along side future head coaches Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur. Later on he worked as an offensive assistant coach for Dan Quinn with the Falcons when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator, and then followed Shanahan to the 49ers when he became head coach and McDaniel was named run game coordinator and eventually was the offensive coordinator for a season.

He was the head coach and offensive play caller of the Dolphins for four seasons from 2022 to 2025. He compiled a record of 35-33 with two playoff appearances, losing on the road in the opening Wild Card round of his first two seasons. McDaniel and the Dolphins’ was a high octane and explosive offense in 2022 and 2023 with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at wide receiver, De’Von Achane (2023) running back and Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s quarterback.

OC Candidate Mike McDaniel – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Sam Navarro

With McDaniel calling the shots, the 2022 season saw the Dolphins rank 11th in points per game (23.4) and sixth in yards per game (364.5). It was the 2023 season, though, where Miami truly exploded and hit their stride. They were the best offense in the league as they were second points per game at 29.2, trailing the Cowboys by 0.7 points, and led the NFL in yards per game at 401.3.

Things unfortunately started to go sideways for the Dolphins in 2024 and 2025. Much of it had to do with serious concussions to Tagovailoa, causing him to miss several games. His play also regressed and it cost the team.

McDaniel Is The Bucs’ Best Option

The Bucs have interviewed several other candidates for their offensive coordinator role, plus McDaniel coming up at the end of the week. This includes Todd Monken, Brian Callahan, Zac Robinson, Israel Woolfork, Mike Kafka and David Shaw. The general consensus is that the two best options of those names listed are McDaniel and Monken.

There’s a direct connection for Monken as he’s spent time in Tampa as an offensive coordinator. But McDaniel and his offensive style is considered to be a top of the league as the most innovative offenses in the NFL. He’s worked with several different players and personnel in this league and can get the most out of Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin Jr, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving and hopefully a returning Mike Evans.

OC Candidate Mike McDaniel – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Sam Navarro

Having McDaniel as the offensive coordinator is the quickest way to getting the Bucs back to averaging close to 30 points per game. And given his previous head coaching experience, he could be an in-house hire to become the next head coach in Tampa Bay if Todd Bowles’ defensive side struggles.

Feelings have to be mutual between McDaniel in the Bucs. It’s difficult to see how this wouldn’t be a fit if it lines up correctly together.

Pewter Report’s Matt Matera and Bailey Adams reacted to the news of McDaniel being scheduled to meet with the Bucs as it broke while on the Pewter Report Podcast. Watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel – PewterReportTV