The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the market for a new offensive coordinator, and the search has taken on added intrigue after head coach Todd Bowles was retained for another season-but not without major changes to his staff earlier this month. Bowles was given the green light to overhaul his coaching team, and now the focus shifts to who’ll be calling plays for Tampa Bay in 2026.
One name that’s been consistently linked to the job is Mike McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach. McDaniel’s offensive mind has long been respected around the league, and his name has surfaced as a potential fit in Tampa Bay-not just as an OC, but potentially as a future head coach-in-waiting. According to NFL insider Albert Breer, the Bucs could be a “good spot” for McDaniel, and there’s a sense he might be lined up as Todd Bowles’ eventual successor if things go south in the near future.
But just as that narrative was gaining momentum, Monday night brought a twist.
The Tennessee Titans are reportedly finalizing a deal to make 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh their next head coach. That move could have a ripple effect on McDaniel’s future. Saleh and McDaniel go way back-they built a strong working relationship during their time together in San Francisco, where McDaniel helped design one of the league’s most creative offenses while Saleh ran the defense.
Now that Saleh is getting another crack at leading a team, there’s chatter he might want to bring McDaniel with him as his offensive coordinator in Tennessee. NFL reporter Connor Hughes noted there was early talk that if Saleh landed a head coaching gig, he’d try to pair up with McDaniel once again. That pairing could now be on the table.
There’s also a strategic element in play here. Saleh is walking into a rebuild situation in Tennessee.
The Titans just wrapped up a 3-14 season, and while that record isn’t pretty, it does give the new regime a blank slate. ESPN’s Turron Davenport pointed out that Saleh’s next major decision will be hiring an OC who can develop rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the Titans’ 2025 first-round pick.
That’s where McDaniel’s offensive pedigree becomes particularly valuable.
So why might McDaniel choose Tennessee over Tampa Bay?
Start with job security. Bowles enters 2026 on a warm seat-maybe even hot.
The Buccaneers’ decision to keep him came with the caveat of significant staff changes, and if the team stumbles out of the gate next season, Bowles’ tenure could be on borrowed time. That uncertainty might make Tampa a less appealing destination for a coordinator looking for some stability.
In contrast, Saleh is just starting his run in Tennessee, and the Titans’ front office-led by GM Mike Borgonzi-will likely give him time to build. That patience could extend to McDaniel, especially if Cam Ward doesn’t develop as quickly as hoped. If things go sideways with Ward, there’s a decent chance Saleh and McDaniel would get another shot at finding their guy at quarterback.
Of course, McDaniel’s future isn’t locked into either situation. There’s still a real chance another team could swoop in and offer him a head coaching job outright. But if that doesn’t happen, the Titans could present a softer landing spot-one with a familiar face in Saleh, a fresh start, and a longer leash.
For now, the Buccaneers' OC search remains wide open. But with the Titans making moves and old coaching ties potentially pulling McDaniel toward Nashville, Tampa Bay may need to pivot quickly-or risk losing a top candidate before the race even heats up.