Bucs Miss Out On Mike McDaniel
January 20th, 2026
West coast bound.
What’s behind Door No. 2?
A guy who had been linked to the Bucs as a new offensive coordinator is, instead, heading to Los Angeles. Former Dolphins shot-caller Mike McDaniel has passed on the Bucs. Instead, he’s expected to be the new offensive coordinator of your Los Angeles Chargers.
That’s the word from Adam Schefter of BSPN.
Joe has to believe job and roster security are the reasons why McDaniel passed on the Bucs, even though several reports suggested McDaniel was very interested in the Bucs’ gig and in some circles was believed to be the favorite.
Think about it: We don’t know if Bucs coach Todd Bowles will be here in 2027. And we don’t know if Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield will be here in 2027. Or Chris Godwin. Or Mike Evans.
If the Bucs’ 2026 season goes sideways, this Bucs team may look a whole lot different in 14 months and the Bucs might just be in the quarterback market in the spring of 2027 with so many stud quarterbacks expected in the draft next year.
Additionally, in Los Angeles, McDaniel will be working for Jim Harbaugh — he ain’t going anywhere — and working with one of the best quarterbacks in the game, Justin Herbert — he ain’t going anywhere.
Let’s hope Todd Monken doesn’t go to New York to join his old boss John Harbaugh.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Welp, Zac Robinson. What a trash hire.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:03 pm
Shocker….not!!!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Herbert is overrated imo and Harbaugh is untouchable with job security
January 20th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Who’s coaching the Defense again? Why will anything be different? Why does Todd still have a job?
January 20th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Hope… There it is again
January 20th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
No real Coach wants to hinge their Success underneath the Toilet Bowles
January 20th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
We’re not even at the Conference Championship games yet and our offseason has already been a complete disaster.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
That sucks but at least they have a defensive guru to keep the games close
January 20th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
Who would you want to work for. Jim Harbaugh, who has won everywhere he’s ever coached, or Mr 3rd and 28?
This was never happening. As long as Mr 3rd and 28 is employed by the Buccaneers, we fans will be lucky to see this team win a game.
No Ian Beckles I will not live with it or tolerate it.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
Back to square one. Bucs ticket sales just took a hit !!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
I’m shocked he chose Harbaugh and Herbert over Bowles and Baker. I mean he’s the defensive guru and Baker threw for 41 TDs 2 years ago. Why pass that up?
Day after day we see what the top talent in coaching thinks of the organization, HC and roster.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
We suck, Bowles sucks, Baker sucks.
Try all you want to spin it Joes…. Nobody’s buying the company line.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
So he had the choose to coach Baker, and passed.
Says everything about why Bowles is back. Baker is not the draw the nutjobs think he is.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Come over the top! Make him an offer he can’t refuse. The deal needs to be signed tonight!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
That is correct. This is a dumpster fire with Bowles. No defense, no DC. It’s a shame.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
I’m shocked he chose Harbaugh and Herbert over Bowles and Baker. I mean he’s the defensive guru and Baker threw for 41 TDs 2 years ago. Why pass that up? Day after day we see what the top talent in coaching thinks of the organization, HC and roster.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:08 pm
He chose Harbaugh and Herbert over Bowles and Baker. I mean he’s the defensive guru and Baker threw for 41 TDs 2 years ago. Why pass that up?
January 20th, 2026 at 9:08 pm
Herbert> baker mayfield… No one wants a guy who wants to run around and get hurt by week 8
January 20th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
As I said before, not promoting Coen to HC is going to haunt this team for years to come. Players will not want to come here via free agency either.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
At this point I wouldnt hire anyone until Bucs can interview rams, seattle coaching.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
‘If the Bucs’ 2026 season goes sideways’
Its already off to a really good start of going sideways…
A lame duck lacky for a HC that nobody believes he is a good coach…
5 division crowns off of others success and other teams misfortune…
He IS who we thought he was when FIRED by the Jets!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Thanks baker…….for being a Terrible QB!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
unbelievable Bowles can’t get a top flight guy that probably won’t be an OC very long. The team has a top shelf offense however it seems everyone except the Glazers know the Bucs in the weakest division in football are going nowhere with Bowles and the big dogs want no parts of it. All the rumors during the late season crash uh yea he said no thanks.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
This team is cooked. No one worth a damn is going to risk there career on Toilet Bowles. Glazers need to sell this team. The fans deserve better.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
I’m not worried about it, I never bought into the idea that McDaniel was a legit option. I’ve always thought Todd would pick someone we’ve never heard of, and then everyone will whine and complain about how they’ve never heard about him, completely ignoring how he did that with Canales and Coen as well. And, as I’ve pointed out previously, Grizz was handed the job without going through the process and I’m really not convinced he was ever Todd’s guy.
This is one area where I think Bowles has proven he does a good job, and hopefully, Bowles will pick another guy off the Sean McVay tree. I mean I’d take Coen 100 out of 100 times over McDaniel – for example.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Ask yourself would you want to coach under a Todd Bowles? The Glazers are not looking good because of Bowles damn Bowles is horrible! Fire Bowles and get Mike McDermott!! The Glazers are KILLING their fan base!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:16 pm
We are watching the wheels come off the bus….thanks Glazers
January 20th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Getting ready for a 5-12 season, some nice $75 tickets in the 300 level
January 20th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
Bowles is likely to be gone after the ’26 season and no coaches will come here for a one year gig. Bowles hasn’t even hired any defensive or special teams coaches.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:39 pm
It’s becoming clear the owners leaving in a dead-man-walking HC as not to attract any top-tier assistant coaches is a soft tanking for 2026 for whatever reasons.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:41 pm
I wasn’t excited either.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Co-Z Coolman Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Getting ready for a 5-12 season, some nice $75 tickets in the 300 level
——–
$75 is club seat money at the end of a 5-12 season.
With that said, if all that happened last year was ‘Baker was hurt’ – then why wouldn’t they bounce back bigly? I mean Baker literally, single handedly, lost 4 games in a row, if he was just a low-end starting level QB over those 4 games, the Bucs win all of them, finish the year 12-5, on a 6 game winning streak.
That argument, btw, is why Bowles is back – and the same case I made while so-called ‘Bucs fans’ were rooting for Tampa to miss the playoffs, because they were so stupid they couldn’t read the room and see that Bowles was coming back.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Mike is a drunk anyways. Zac Robinson, come on down.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:43 pm
“Whew! I thought you Bucs fans were gonna make me get out my wallet because I made my typical bad decision running this franchise. Now I can save a penny and say I tried.” – Hugh
January 20th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Not a smart move on him. Everyone in the league knows that if you can work with Mayfield and make him look decent, you can accomplish anything in this league.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Oh no. You mean we’re not getting that weird acting little dude. End of the world for our team, for sure. Didn’t we just get rid of one weird acting little dude? Who worked for and learned from the other weird acting little dude? To say the news is a blessing in disguise is an understatement.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Amazing what a disaster it was to let Liam Coen walk and keep Toilet Bowles as our HC.
Now we are stuck with Toilet Bowles and we either get a bad OC and we suck or a good one and then they leave again and Toilet Bowles takes all the credit and stays on as HC.
It’s not IF but WHEN Toilet Bowles get fired. He’s not winning any super bowls. The Glazers screwed us. We Suck Again!
January 20th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
My bad, I see Bowles got a special team coach from the Steelers.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:48 pm
19kill@ Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Not a smart move on him. Everyone in the league knows that if you can work with Mayfield and make him look decent, you can accomplish anything in this league.
——–
LOL! There isn’t anyone picking Baker over Herbert. The only question would be if Jim Harbaugh would give McDaniel enough freedom to run a modern NFL offense, of if he’d mettle. One positive thing about Bowles, and really it was the only chance the Bucs had to get McDaniel, is that Bowles gives his OC a ton of power to do what they want.
But at the end of the day, people are going to choose Herbert — and he’s going to have a massive season.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:48 pm
Thank God, we have the lightning, Bucs and the Rays Are you going to suck for a while?
January 20th, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Honestly at this point bring back Grizz and run it back for a year.. get a top 5 pick. Then fire everyone including Jason Licht.. start fresh in 2027.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:50 pm
“Rod Munch, keep up it up, my friend. The more you preach for Todd Bowles, the more money I can save. And, please continue to get these people off Baker. That’ll save me a ton of money, too. Them guys that play with passion cost a lot of money. We don’t need none of that around here. Checks in the mail, My False Prophetess” – Hugh
January 20th, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Hope the Glazer Family and Jason Licht realize that they have screwed up so bad keeping Todd Bowles.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:56 pm
@RodMunch
If you compare statistics Baker and Justin were almost Identical this year. Yards tds and interceptions. You are without a doubt the biggest dipsh”t to post here.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:57 pm
well that is disappointing
It’s been one disappointment after another since October with this team. Tough to be a fan.
January 20th, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Joe, you hit the nail on the head— Bowles’ lack of security means he has to reach to attract an OC — like Canales, who was about the fifth choice. It may work out fine, but there’s a good chance that he gets another Grizzard. The Glazers might have been better off with a complete reset.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:00 pm
Mike Martz or Jason Garrett
January 20th, 2026 at 10:01 pm
FormerBucFan Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 9:56 pm
@RodMunch
If you compare statistics Baker and Justin were almost Identical this year. Yards tds and interceptions. You are without a doubt the biggest dipsh”t to post here.
———–
Herbert was playing in Greg Roman offense.
If you actually knew anything about football, you’d turn red from embarrassment and get the d-chills after realizing how you made my point and look like a complete retard.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Hugh Glazerhouse Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 9:50 pm
“Rod Munch, keep up it up, my friend. The more you preach for Todd Bowles, the more money I can save. And, please continue to get these people off Baker. That’ll save me a ton of money, too. Them guys that play with passion cost a lot of money. We don’t need none of that around here. Checks in the mail, My False Prophetess” – Hugh
——
It’s a good bit, and I like the idea of Malcom and Hugh playing the role of Mortimer and Randolph Duke as they scheme a way to save a few cents.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Who’s left out there that’s decent??
1) Todd Monken -> hasn’t committed to Harbaugh/NY Giants
2) Still wanna see interview with Nate Scheelhause -> Could be Coen 2.0 – was an OC in college at Iowa State
3) Lincoln Riley -> mastermind playcaller / HC of UCLA but worth a shot!!
January 20th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Rod munch I agree that the Bucs will make a decent hire at OC. I also didn’t have any confidence in McDaniel coming to the Bucs, just was to many very good opportunities out there this coaching cycle. If all is true with McDaniel going to San Diego, the Bucs will probably make their OC hire by Friday and I don’t think it will be Monkin either
January 20th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
Licht is the problem. Quality candidates do not want to work for an arrogant overrated GM who can’t evaluate talent and as a result is too afraid to engage in free agency for fear of picking up bad and/or washed up football players. The only success he had in free agency was when the shadow GM Tom Brady was telling his coffee boy GM who to sign.
His reputation as a GM is rightfully lousy across the league and we won’t get quality coaching talent in this town while Licht remains the GM.
Sorry fanboys but the truth hurts.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
The Bucs are such a loser team.
Loser ownership.
Loser HC
January 20th, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Fire Lovie Bowels. Or send a press release saying he’s the coach.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:09 pm
I like Baker.
I liked Bowles until he threw his players under the bus.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:09 pm
JTHV Says:
Y’all need to relax. MM chose the LA spotlight and quite frankly was a fan pipe dream. He’s big time, Tampa is not.
Now if the Nucs truly believe he’s the guy who can win a super bowl over the next 1-2 year window with Mike and the current group, they should fire Bowles tomorrow morning and offer the house to MM.
But he’s not that guy and Bucs fans need to stop pipe dreaming.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Jason Licht is just as much of a problem as Todd Bowles, Harbaugh didn’t want to come here because of Licht.. let’s not forget, he’s not as respected as many think he’s is.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Popmike66 Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Rod munch I agree that the Bucs will make a decent hire at OC. I also didn’t have any confidence in McDaniel coming to the Bucs, just was to many very good opportunities out there this coaching cycle. If all is true with McDaniel going to San Diego, the Bucs will probably make their OC hire by Friday and I don’t think it will be Monkin either
———–
Who knows, Bowles might drag it out – he did so with Canales with Coen. I have no issues with it, if he wants to keep looking, it’s not an issue for me, a few days makes no difference in terms of the season.
As for Monkin, I think it’s unlikely. Also Baker had a bad season under him in Cleveland, and Monkin likes the deep ball – and Baker stinks at the deep ball. Another McVay disciple I think makes most sense, Baker did by far his best under Coen, and that was a quick, short passing game with tons of movement and misdirection, and Monkin runs much more of a traditional deep ball offense.
But again, I have no idea, Bowles likes his random hires – and they worked out 2 of the 3 times.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Can’t you all see. It is all todd Bowles. This team will not win 5 games next year. Last place in the NFC South. When the Bucs were 6-2 I said they will not make the playoffs. Keep watching, I’ll be right again next season. Come back here in a year and look me up.
..
January 20th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
Can anyone honestly say that they see a Superbowl in the Bucs future with Bowles as coach. I’ll wait….If you cannot see a Superbowl then why is he here ? This team is a cash cow for the Glazer’s soccer team. I’m telling you this is the reason.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:15 pm
Loafing Licht loses again. Both Coen and McDaniel used the Bucs’ interest to leverage better situations for themselves. Y’all still believe Licht hunted down and persuaded BA to come to Tampa.? Not likely, BA manipulated that puppet to dance for him, just like Coen and McDaniel
January 20th, 2026 at 10:20 pm
Rod,
Saw a picture of Herbert who was leaning down to talk to talk to Roman. I keep forgetting Herbert is 6’6. Baker would kill to be that tall. I digress, I think we know Bakers ceiling with good OC, healthy OLine and receivers. Herbert has yet to have all three in a season. McDaniels is a passing guy and Roman was a ground and pound scheme guy. Chargers will be deadly if they stay healthy and get a couple more offensive pieces. I just don’t see how we will be successful without a good OC. I still stand by my assessment that if Baker has a 2023-2024 stat season he will be resigned and paid but if it’s 2025 stats he should be signed to a 2 year deal and we draft his replacement.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:20 pm
Robinson. ugh. I would rather have Gruden. It’s not like the Bucs are going anywhere with Bowles and Licht who can’t find one edge rusher to save his life. 2026 is going to be a lost year. Glazers should have fired Bowles, now it’s too late to get quality coaches.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
Blows still being employed is going to cost this organization everything. They need to get McDermott Now or the problems with this team are going to be long and far reaching.
The owners really have no choice!
January 20th, 2026 at 10:23 pm
Did the Glazers or Licht ever make an official announcement that Bowles will be the coach next year? I keep stopping by, hoping to see that Bowles is gone and the organization is moving forward with anyone but “I’ve earned the right”.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
No one with cred will come to Tampa as long as Bowles is there. End of story. And Ian Beckles is way wrong! The fans don’t have to eat this!
January 20th, 2026 at 10:26 pm
Good. Nobody save Lovie. Or bowles or whatever his name is
January 20th, 2026 at 10:26 pm
Agreed
January 20th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Our mediocre head coach just landed us a mediocre offensive coordinator again. When will the Glasers pull the plug on this 10 win ceiling nightmare??? They passed on John Harbaugh and somehow a rumor circulated he wanted a team with no GM which was misinformation. I’m tired of local media focusing on fans who wanted the Bucs to lose to get rid of Bowles instead of the reality that legions of fans are over mediocrity and annual losing streaks which spell poor coaching. I never want the Bucs to lose but I’m over this head coach period. Harbaugh and McDermott get fired but 1-3 playoff Bowles stays on? Oh and Manchester United just happened to let go of a coach this month they will still owe a pretty penny to, Say this all isn’t so Glasers!
January 20th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
So disappointing. I feel like we’re just headed into a wasted year. Wake me up in 2027 please.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Shocked. I mean who doesn’t want to be the OC under the Genius that is Todd Bowles.
Only Garbage will take the OC job with these losers running the team
January 20th, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Zac Robinson will be the guy. He’s had experience calling plays and has had some success. That’s what happens when you settle for mediocrity.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:45 pm
it’s ok, we just gotta coach it better, play it better lol
January 20th, 2026 at 10:45 pm
Glazers what are you guys doing. Have you guys not had enough
January 20th, 2026 at 10:45 pm
The glazers are trash. The local media gives them a pass non stop because they are afraid to lose whatever access they get. Tampa Bay local media is embarrassing. You all should be ashamed. I’m sure you will ask really hard questions when you see the Glazers. Sad. Joe’s you are included. Jason Licht is trash without Brady. Arians is old AF and useless. SMDH.
YOU ARE EMBARRASSING. SMDH
January 20th, 2026 at 10:49 pm
It’s a lost season. I have no hope already.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:50 pm
Smart.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:55 pm
A mid season LB trade in ‘24, retaining Coen. With a competent GM and ownership we could’ve had another 5 year SB window.
Instead we’re wasting the last of Baker’s prime with Licht’s ego sending us into another decade of darkness. Ownership would rather double down on their easily avoided mistakes.
January 20th, 2026 at 10:58 pm
It is sad only one local Bucs reporter (SR) to my knowledge had the guts to call for Todd Bowles job. Sorry Ira it definitely was not you. Instead they all harp on the minority of fans who wanted losses so Bowles would get fired. Wake-up local pen and Mic club most Bucs fans want wins and a new head coach.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Its a Bucs life. No care to follow this team. If the owners don’t care, why should I.x
January 20th, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Justin and Baker. One has a 106 qbr in the play offs. The other, a 64 qbr.
If you look up up “ play off choker” in the dictionary, you’ll see herberts picture. Nice qb, but hen it counts, he’s been atrocious.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:03 pm
Hey glazers, just hire Zac Robinson and be done with it before he ends up on another team. Monken will be in NY with Harbaugh if he does not take a HC job. Quit stalling unless you are tanking for Arch Manning.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:03 pm
Doesn’t anybody wanna coach here ???? I don’t blame them. All they have to do is read the FAN’S hatred of the team.and it’s personnel .in all the blogs to realize why would they even want to have to put up with the over 40’s adolescent blowhard fan base !!!!! Can’t wait to see them blow a head gasket when they lose twice to Coach Stepanski and the ATL falcons.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
These good OC’s don’t want older quarterbacks they want young quarterbacks especially a quarterback that’s 1-9 in prime time games. Until the bucs get a new young quarterback ain’t no good coming to Tampa. I told y’all this would happen the bucs should have drafted a quarterback in 2023 or in 2024. I told y’all Baker ain’t going or winning a Superbowl with the bucs. I don’t care what Bucs media say about Baker Mayfield to pump y’all up all that mosie talk don’t win Superbowls. It’s time for the Joe’s and other bucs meadi to stop saling Baker Mayfield because now the rest of the NFL is showing y’all how coaches looks at Baker Mayfield . Drew Aluar in the second or third round.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:05 pm
No good coaches coming to Tampa.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:05 pm
Glazers meet egg on face…
January 20th, 2026 at 11:08 pm
Gonna have to speak with your wallet. When the stadium is half full next season, maybe then they will care.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:09 pm
We suck again!
Never forget
3rd & 28
Cooper Kupp 44 yard reception in 2021 playoffs via Bowels “cover zero” call.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:10 pm
The fans are trash
January 20th, 2026 at 11:13 pm
Good pick up by Harbaugh and the Chargers.
If there’s anybody that can translate the style of play Harbaugh desires his teams to have its McDaniel. Tough, physical with an OC who’s old school in principle but ahead of the curve as far as putting his run game together. Should work well, KC won’t be down for long.
I think Kingsbury goes to the Raiders. Not that he’d be a fit with us anyway.
Like Zac Robinson, but intrigued by this Pritcher guy as well. We’ll have options, McDaniel had the power of choice so what he did what he felt was right for himself, can’t be mad at that.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:13 pm
Mcdaniel would have been awesome but lets be honest he is a California guy.
January 20th, 2026 at 11:16 pm
Anyone shocked nobody wants to sail on Todd’s Titanic?
January 20th, 2026 at 11:16 pm
Ron Munch anyone that uses the R word like you did has no class
January 20th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Why would anyone want to come work for Todd Bowles. This report has many connotations in it. Monken was here before. I don’t see him coming back either.