“He Creates This Explosive Brand Of Offense”
January 19th, 2026
Bucs playcaller candidate Mike McDaniel.
Joe presumes the important people at One Buc Palace prepped the exit paperwork for fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard with 2 minutes remaining in the Bucs-Dolphins game a few weeks ago.
Tampa Bay trailed 20-10 despite all kinds of offfensive weapons on the field — and lots of big investments in weapons in those weapons.
To make matters worse, the Dolphins were tanking with a rookie seventh-round pick starting at quarterback and other starters sitting out.
The Bucs offense sputtered after a sweet opening-drive touchdown, and Bucky Irving was horrible running while cold-hand Grizzard kept giving him the ball.
Ten points with the season on the line against a shaky team?
The Bucs are shopping for a new offensive coordinator and fans overwhelmingly want it to be former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
Even Bucs Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber is on the McDaniel bandwagon, as he expressed on the WFLA production known as The Rondé Barber Show.
“A pie-in-the-sky choice” is what Barber called McDaniel, and he agreed McDaniel would inject “flair” and “life” into the Bucs offense.
“He’s so creative,” Barber said of McDaniel. “He creates this explosive brand of offense. And with all the talent that we have, especially guys like, for me, Jalen McMillan coming on at the end of [the season]. Jalen McMillan came back with a purpose after missing most of the season. … Because he’s so dynamic as a player, I think having a guy like Mike McDaniel to work with a guy like Jalen even opens him up even more. But [McDaniel is] dynamic, man. His run-pass balance, it’s awesome. … He finds creative ways to get backfield players and receivers, just finding space for them, it’s fun to watch.”
McDaniel interviewed with the Bucs last week and is the only candidate on the market who can claim a No. 1-ranked NFL offense (2023) with a marginal quarterback. That year, Miami was not only ranked No. 1 in yards per carry; they were No. 1 in total passing yards. That’s damn difficult to pull off.
A year ago, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in completion percentage. Miami’s big problem was he missed six games to injury and their backups were beyond dreadful.
McDaniel, 42, also is known for his run-scheming prowess. He was considered a mastermind behind the 49ers successful rushing attacks before leaving them after the 2021 season. This season, Miami ranked fourth in the NFL in yards per carry.
Joe is not calling McDaniel a savior. But he would epresent a huge upgrade, a guy Joe thinks could get the most out of the Bucs’ potential, which starts with their beastly starting offensive line.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:07 am
If they want him they will have to offer the HC job!
Bowels has a long history of .500
Great in baseball as a batting average
Horrendous in football as head coach!
January 19th, 2026 at 10:07 am
I bet McDaniel will get a call from Buffalo, now that they have launched McDermott. Glazers keep Bowles but the Ravens and Bills fire much more successful coaches. You cannot blame people for thinking that the Glazers want to simply save coin and are happy with mediocrity.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:08 am
We don’t need no stinking mastermind!
January 19th, 2026 at 10:24 am
If McDaniel can’t find another HC gig this season, is TB objectively a smart decision for him.
Id Todd Bowles a lame duck head coach in 2026? Are you signing up for possibly one year as OC in TB only for Glazers to clean house after 2026 if season doesn’t go well. Or are you thinking you might have a good shot at being promoted to HC following the season and nit have to up and move after only 1 year. If Bowles makes it to 2027, then it was probably because of the offense and Mike will be highly sought after as a HC and now we are looking for ANOTHER OC for the 5th straight year? This is a mess, I’m not gonna lie and I think keeping Bowles is at the root of the problem….
I’m a defensive guy. Especially growing up a TB fan in the 90’s. But you can’t have a Defensive head coach and your defense not even be that great. Our D since the fantastic SB game plan and hnder Todd as the Head Coach hasn’t been anything special. So if you’re gonna have a Defensive head coach, then the D is the one thing you shouldn’t even have to worry about. Our Offense has carried us the last several years (sans Grizzard) to success more than the defense under a defensive head coach.
There’s your sign Glazers (I imagine Bisciotti would’ve fired Bowles this season if he was Bucs owner).
This seems like an inescapable mess for one this year….unless our new OC can save us, again!
January 19th, 2026 at 10:34 am
He’s not coming here as OC. That’s just stupid.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:47 am
Love to have him but there are lots of good options for him else where. Feel like it’s a longshot for him selecting the Bucs. The Glazers would have to dangle some loot plus who knows what else he would seek.
It’s a big unknown.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:56 am
The biggest knock on Bowles is not scheme, nor injuries, nor anything except this: They play soft. They miss tackles, overrun plays, loaf, and do not hit.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:56 am
….especially when that DC is calling plays on defense too
And who knows what’s going on with Baker and what does Mike think of that situation and how much is he privy to in just an interview setting. Bucs ain’t spilling the beans to every one they interview before they are potentially hired.
Tbh, none of us really know what’s going on with Bake and the post-bye issues. The same by week that Bowles gave his players an entire week off and you see how they responded to Coach in appreciation there.
This is a mess and it’s all starting to smell funny and not good. I don’t feel Barber is wrong on what he said about Bowles/his defense either. Think Barber knows a lot more about defense than all of us too.
Love Bowles as a person and think very highly of the dude, but the smart business decision would’ve been letting him go. I don’t wanna hear the money excuse either because he just signed an extension. Kraft had to pay a whole entire brand new staff after firing Mayo after one year. It’s not an excuse for these rich folk anymore. Sorry, but it ain’t.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:58 am
We need a DC too. I know I know.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:01 am
The “pie in the sky” indeed! McDaniel here would be awesome.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:18 am
This is just hopeful speculation, but I am thinking the Glazers are leaving their option open and will offer him HC, if that is what it takes. They really should.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Cmon man….
FA OCs can choose from Allen, Jackson and Hurts to coach. Who is really looking to bank their career on Baker?
The Bucs job is next to last. And no, the potential of becoming a HC isn’t an attractive offer. Theres no guarantee there. Think about you being on an interview, and you ask about a promotion and they say, well, maybe. Lol…would that be your first choice?
There’s not a lot on this Bucs team to attract the top candidates. Not right now…
January 19th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Now there’s another HC open in Buffalo. He might actually want another HC gig somewhere.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:47 am
He’d have to average 40ppg with Belowzero running the show.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Why settle for OC when 8 HC slots still available?
January 19th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
NEED A NEW DC NOW DEFENCE WINS ASK FATHER DUNGY
January 19th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Some coaches are meant to be coordinators and McDaniels is one of those. He would be a tremendous hire but not to replace Bowels.