Mike McDaniel “Very Much In Play”
January 19th, 2026
“Show me the money!”
If one well-known NFL insider is on the mark, the Bucs have just as good of a chance as any team to land a highly-respected playcaller.
There have been rumblings concerning former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and his various suitors, whether for NFL head coaching gigs or offensive coordinator jobs.
Last week, McDaniel interviewed with the Bucs at One Buc Palace. He came and he left to do other interviews, contract not in hand.
All along, ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington, the pride of Seminole High School, has believed if McDaniel wasn’t hired as a head coach, the Bucs would be a logical landing spot. The desire from the Bucs and McDaniel seemed mutual, per Darlington.
However, McDaniel is no dummy. He wanted to court as many suitors as he had. Good for business. Drives the price up.
Yesterday, the Lions filled their opening at offensive coordinator with former Cardinals (!) play-caller Drew Petzing. Darlington then Twittered that all the openings McDaniel has interviewed for are “very much in play.” Translation: Whomever cuts McDaniel the biggest check and coughs up the most power and job security.
Darlington had noted previously there may not be a better option for McDaniel than the Bucs. In the immortal words of the great eastern philosopher Moe Howard, “We shall see.”