The Miami Dolphins are turning the page after parting ways with head coach Mike McDaniel, following a disappointing 7-10 finish to the 2025 season. McDaniel exits with a 35-33 record over four years in Miami-a run that started with promise but ultimately fizzled out over the past two seasons.
McDaniel made an immediate impact when he arrived in South Florida, leading the Dolphins to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons. His offensive acumen brought energy to a franchise in need of a spark, and for a time, it looked like Miami had found its long-term answer on the sideline.
But the magic faded. The last two seasons were marred by inconsistent play, untimely injuries, and missed opportunities.
That slide ultimately led to the Dolphins moving in a new direction.
Now, McDaniel is back on the market-and not for long, if the buzz around the league is any indication. According to league insider Albert Breer, McDaniel is a top candidate for the offensive coordinator job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Breer noted that Tampa Bay could be a strong landing spot, and that if McDaniel thrives in the role, he could be positioned as a potential successor to head coach Todd Bowles down the line.
The Bucs are coming off an 8-9 campaign that saw them miss the postseason for the first time since the Jameis Winston era. That stumble cost them the AFC South crown, which went to the Carolina Panthers, and now they’re in the market for a fresh offensive mind to reset the tone. Tampa Bay, valued at $6.6 billion, clearly isn’t interested in a slow rebuild-they’re looking for someone who can bring immediate results.
McDaniel’s track record suggests he could be that guy. While his head coaching tenure ended on a sour note, his reputation as one of the league’s most creative offensive minds remains intact. He orchestrated one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL during his time in Miami, blending motion-heavy schemes with speed and spacing that gave defenses fits.
One of the most unforgettable moments of McDaniel’s Dolphins tenure came in 2023, when Miami dropped 70 points on a Sean Payton-led Broncos team. That game was a showcase of everything McDaniel’s offense could be when firing on all cylinders-speed, misdirection, and ruthless execution. It was a statement win that briefly made the Dolphins look like a juggernaut in the AFC.
But sustaining that level of production proved difficult. Injuries piled up, and the offense lost its rhythm.
The Dolphins couldn’t recapture that early-season magic, and as the losses mounted, so did the pressure. In the end, the team’s inability to stay healthy and consistent cost McDaniel his job.
Still, stepping back into a coordinator role could be exactly what McDaniel needs. Without the weight of head coaching responsibilities, he’ll have the freedom to focus on what he does best-designing and calling plays that keep defenses off balance. It’s a chance to reset, recalibrate, and remind the league why he was one of the most sought-after offensive minds just a few years ago.
If he lands in Tampa Bay, he’ll inherit a roster with talent and a front office that’s clearly motivated to compete. And if he can help turn the Bucs’ offense into a top-tier unit, it won’t be long before head coaching opportunities come calling again.
For now, McDaniel’s head coaching chapter is closed. But his story in the NFL is far from over.