In Mike McDaniel’s quest to earn a second shot as an NFL head coach, the 42-year-old former Miami Dolphins head coach just picked Justin Herbert over Baker Mayfield.McDaniel will be the Los Angeles Chargers’ new offensive coordinator, teaming up with Herbert and Jim Harbaugh.McDaniel was one of two OC candidates to interview in-person with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the past week, along with former Ravens OC Todd Monken.If Monken also bows out for a head coach position, or to reunite with John Harbaugh in New York as the Giants’ new offensive coordinator, the domino effect potentially leads to Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher.Pitcher is slated to interview with Tampa Bay this week. The Bucs know the 39-year-old well at this point, having interviewed the then-Bengals quarterbacks coach in January of 2023 for their OC opening. Tampa opted for then-Seattle Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales, who after one season moved on to be the Carolina Panthers’ head coach.During the 2023 cycle, Canales interviewed late (Feb 14) with the Bucs. He was the ninth candidate vetted and it worked.During the 2024 cycle, Liam Coen interviewed late (Feb 1) with the Bucs. He was the eighth candidate to speak with head coach Todd Bowles. It worked.Will Dan Pitcher be the next to come from the back of the line — to the front — in Tampa?

CINCINNATI —

In Mike McDaniel’s quest to earn a second shot as an NFL head coach, the 42-year-old former Miami Dolphins head coach just picked Justin Herbert over Baker Mayfield.

McDaniel will be the Los Angeles Chargers’ new offensive coordinator, teaming up with Herbert and Jim Harbaugh.

McDaniel was one of two OC candidates to interview in-person with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the past week, along with former Ravens OC Todd Monken.

If Monken also bows out for a head coach position, or to reunite with John Harbaugh in New York as the Giants’ new offensive coordinator, the domino effect potentially leads to Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher.

Pitcher is slated to interview with Tampa Bay this week. The Bucs know the 39-year-old well at this point, having interviewed the then-Bengals quarterbacks coach in January of 2023 for their OC opening.

Tampa opted for then-Seattle Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales, who after one season moved on to be the Carolina Panthers’ head coach.

During the 2023 cycle, Canales interviewed late (Feb 14) with the Bucs. He was the ninth candidate vetted and it worked.

During the 2024 cycle, Liam Coen interviewed late (Feb 1) with the Bucs. He was the eighth candidate to speak with head coach Todd Bowles. It worked.

Will Dan Pitcher be the next to come from the back of the line — to the front — in Tampa?