Jeff Darlington Makes Another Passing Reference To Bucs In Mike McDaniel Chatter
January 12th, 2026
Not in a hurry.
The pride of Seminole High School and a guy very well-connected with the Bucs, the Dolphins and former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has calming words for Bucs fans wringing their hands over the possibility that McDaniel could land as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator.
Stay calm!
ESPN NFL insider Jeff Darlington was the first guy who suggested McDaniel taking over as Bucs offensive coordinator is not a far-fetched dream.
Today, Darlington offered an update on McDaniel’s interview schedule, and Darlington made sure to drop the Bucs in the discussion, almost as a blind item.
“So if you don’t see your team on the reported lists (cough, Bucs, cough), don’t overthink it,” Darlington twittered. “Everyone is still in play. He just doesn’t currently see a reason to rush.”
Stay calm.
So that’s a good sign. McDaniel is clearly interested, he’s just not panting at the chance someone flings open the door to his South Florida pad so he can make a beeline to the west coast of the east coast just to interview.
Joe has to figure Darlington wouldn’t purposely be dropping the Bucs in these McDaniel updates unless he knows there is mutual interest.
When it comes to Mike McDaniel, I wouldn’t read too much into his interview schedule. He’s talking to 3 teams today, 1 team each of the next 3 three days, and it’s possible 3 other OC jobs open up. That’s 9 potential teams (#math). The point is, aside from a can’t-turn-it-down…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 12, 2026
January 12th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
This would go a long way in building back the fans trust !!
January 12th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Dolphins offense got progressively worse over the last 3 seasons-No thanks.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
After he got Tua killed? Pass.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
So it’s either a maybe or not a maybe.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Gives encouragement! Thank you for the update, Joe.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
I don’t think he was responsible for getting Tua destroyed.. what I’ve heard is that Tua does scripted plays really well, but when the first option is not viable he panics and can’t process any further. Quite the opposite from Baker. I also think that he may have had too much with the personalities on that team which took away focus on the offense. Dealing with HR related crap is really a distraction- especially when your stars are constantly in some legal or HR trouble.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
With so many openings at HC and OC it will take time to sort out. One thing about MM is he strikes me as someone who’s probably not going to just be bossed around by a lame duck HC and become a scapegoat… so we won’t hire him.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
I am pretty sure McDaniel will test the HC market before even considering a OC job. Either way it’s probably gonna be a week or so before we know who will be the Bucs OC in 027
January 12th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
Maybe Todd can call plays for the offense and defense!
January 12th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
Yes, please bring in the guy with the same record as Bowles.
What could possibly go wrong with that decision???
And why are we even worried about the OC position??
We’ve seen what happens with bad, mid, and great OC’s.
Basically .500 due to the Swiss cheese defense Bowles throws out there.
Year after year, after year, after year. And continueing in 2026.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
EB, I think Tua got Tua killed. Or the game itself got Tua killed. I wouldn’t put that Mike.
January 12th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Bowles isnt going to hire any OC who could potentially take his job next year and what reputable OC would want to potentially come here just for a year to get fired we will have the 2027 #1 pick next year watch
January 12th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Funny everyone wants a guru OC lol but there is a huge unknown, no one Coen was going to be good nor Canales and please tell me who the better option is outside of McDaniels or Monken? I’ll wait. Some fans are clueless Bill Walsh and Mike Shanahan ain’t walking through the door to OBP LOL
January 12th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
IDK if the Bucs even have a chance. He is interviewing with the Ravens , Atlanta,Titans, and Browns for HC. Why would he want to be a OC under Bowles.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Bowzo will nix it….He needs a scapegoat again.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Biggest bunch of crybabies I’ve ever seen
January 12th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Bowles will not hire anybody deemed a threat to his fiefdom.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Will the people who constantly bring up Todds 500 ish record please look at NFL coaches records in general. Lots of winning, even HOF coaches, with records less than or barely over .500.
You’d think by the comments that there are people (coaches) crushing it with W/L % in the 70-80 %. They’re not. Nobody is winning over 70% – except Sirriani (sp).
January 12th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Since Grizzard worked under him wouldn’t be funny if he wanted to bring Grizzard with him?
January 12th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Is there not a rising OC star from the college ranks that we should be looking at sans our last (Shiano) disaster? Just not sure looking at retreads is the answer, regardless of Bowles wanting an established retread.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Pipe dream to have him land here. @Bryan – I strongly disagree with your statement. If he hires a weak, inexperienced OC he will def be fired next year. The only way for him to save his job is to hire an OC that knocks it our of the park and the Bucs have a winning record and aren’t one and done if they make the playoffs.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
No way he comes here. No one worth a spit or a half a brain would set sail on the Titanic.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
@Paco
Please name a sub .500 record for his career HC that has a SB ring?
If you’re having trouble coming up with the answer I’ll help you.
ZERO
Bowles is a sub .500 HC and ALWAYS will be.
Keeping him is an absolute waste of time and an insult to the fans.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
IBS reputation will repel any OC of any value!
Who would dedicate 1 year of their life and drag family to a team that by ALL appearance will FIRE all coaches at the beginning of 2027… it going to be a MOOT season because of salary cap OR for top draft pick in 2027 OR something else…
Bucs are NOT making moves to WIN!!!
January 12th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Dude would still be coaching the dolphins if it wasn’t for Tua. He basically made the dolphins offense go with no QuarterBack. Tua is horrible if anyone has watched the dolphins play that offense ran through Achane.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
The reason i was hopeful for Grizz was because of his time with McDaniels.
I think this would be a great opportunity for him… A little less pressure than HC, and a chance to restablish himself as one of the more creative offensive minds in football. He’s young enough to wait for Todd to retire so theirs a good shot to be an a HC again in a year or 2.
Mcdaniels did a great job scheming for Tua considering the circumstances. Tuas got a quick release and great anticipation – he also has a mediocre arm (@ best).
I could see McDaniel tailoring an attack to take advantage of our personnel. He could be just what Baker needs at this point.
All this talk about Harbough but I’d be more concerned with McDaniel going to Atlanta than I would Harbough
January 12th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
@alstottnumber1
Doug Pederson .492
Also barely over 500 with SB rings
John Gruden .511
My point was simply that the insinuation that good NFL coaches are dominating in W/L % is misleading…. Not 1 single active coach is batting over 70%.
January 12th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
It’s not gonna happen…..Period….
1- He will look to HC positions instead of OC.
2-If he doesn’t get a HC position their are better options for him for OC position, ex. The Lions…..
Again, is not gonna happen, let’s move on…..
January 12th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
I think Harbaugh is going to Atlanta which means we will have the worst cosch in the division by far and 100% finish in last place next season!
January 12th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Ain’t gonna happen. Too much competition for Todd wanting to be The Man. McDaniel would tell Belows to get stuffed.
January 12th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
So, they have not even interviewed Mike McDaniel…this is just the wishes of Jeff Darlington…not even a story.
January 12th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
He comes across as emotionless most of the time but he knows he is on the hot seat so he will hire the best OC he can.
January 12th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
AlstottNumber1 Says:
“Bowles is a sub .500 HC and ALWAYS will be.”
He’s not a sub .500 coach in Tampa…
For those stating Mike McDaniel will look to head coaching opportunities only…you might be right…but if he does he’s stupid and I don’t want him.
If he is smart, he will go to whatever team has the best roster and a coach likely to retire soon. That way, by doing a great job, he takes over and has a solid team.
January 12th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Tom Petty Says
“All this talk about Harbough but I’d be more concerned with McDaniel going to Atlanta than I would Harbough”
Word is that he wants to pick his GM…the Dolphins fired their coach and GM…which happens to be where Mike was at.
I think the Dolphins are making a run for him. And good for them. They need a top coach.
January 12th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
So is Jeff saying that Mike is going to come to the bucks as long as another team doesn’t give him some outlandish crazy he can’t pass it up offer or am I reading that wrong
January 12th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
Lotsa things going on for anyone to be talkin bout the McDaniels man if he’s interviewing for HC jobs. Those are 1st on his list. I’m that crazed about a lot of the names, Harbaugh included. I do like the guy we interviewed last year for the OC position, Shane Shheeshounddstooth or something, young blood is needed but experienced blood. There’s a few more out there as well.
A little perspective on NFL coach’s W/L records
Don Shula, aka, The Don, Godfather, etc. 526 games 347-173-6= 67%
Bill Walsh 166 games 102-63-1=61%
Vince Lombardi 146 games 105-35-6=72%
If my math is correct, not counting the ties in W/L record
January 12th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
@Tom Petty
False!
Doug Pederson was 64-66-1 in the regular season for .492. And the Jaguar years really brought his total percentage down.
But if you add his 5-3 record in the playoffs he’s 69-69-1 for a .500 record.
Gruden and Pederson got to the NFC title game and won! Then won the SB.
In what world could Mr. 62-77 or .446 ever get to even an NFC title game???
Zero sub .500 HC has ever won the SB. Regular season + Playoff record.
January 12th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
@Buccaneer Bonzai
Regular season 35-33, plus postseason 1-3.
Add that up and you get: Thirty six and Thirty six.
That’s a five hundred record.
Here ends the lesson.
January 12th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
“ For those stating Mike McDaniel will look to head coaching opportunities only…you might be right…but if he does he’s stupid and I don’t want him.
If he is smart, he will go to whatever team has the best roster and a coach likely to retire soon. That way, by doing a great job, he takes over and has a solid team.”
No. This is what’s stupid ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Now how often does this ever happen? How often does a head coach actually “retire” on his own? How often is an assistant named in advance to be his successor? Has Bowles ever hinted at retiring even once? Why would McDaniel take an OC job with the intentions of waiting around for the head coach to “retire” when he is currently being interviewed as a potential HC for next season right now? Why would he ever consider it with a head coach on shaky ground? Why when has already been a HC? How often are interim head coaches retained and extended for beyond the remainder of that season? The answer to all of these questions is almost never. So why would a popular young up and coming HC who has had some moderate success in the league already, want to hitch his wagon to Todd Bowles? Why would he want to wait around just for the possibility of being promoted to head coach whenever he retires? Why would he want to do that when he is considered a serious HC candidate right now who could land a job all on his own either this season or the next? A more stable situation under a good head coach on a good strong team would make a whole lot more sense. If he does that then there’s almost no chance he doesn’t land a head coaching job at least someplace the following year. If that is what he wants to do. He can afford to be picky. I heard the dolphins still owe him the remainder of his salary over the next two seasons. Potentially up to $18 million dollars.
January 12th, 2026 at 6:09 pm
“ For those stating Mike McDaniel will look to head coaching opportunities only…you might be right…but if he does he’s stupid and I don’t want him.”
So if he picks the Bucs you want him and if he doesn’t then you don’t and he’s stupid. Got it.
January 12th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
As I sit here in my recliner reading these articles and posts, I have to wonder, why have all the interviews been done remotely, why not have a face to face interview with these potential coordinators. Is it because the Glazers are cheap or is it all just smoke and mirrors until their true pick becomes available. Also why no word on any other coaching vacancies, one would think special teams would be another top priority.
January 12th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
thats Really an offensive statement arianbowles would shut him down run up the gut take some time off the clock so my defensive defensive will sieve its way through the sand. you can tell well coached teams in the playoffs js
January 12th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
Let him be the DC as well, can’t get any worse than the present imposter
January 12th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
With Todd Bowles on the hot seat the only way I see us getting a big name OC is if we tell them that they will be the new coach in waiting when Bowles leaves or retires.
January 12th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Bowles did a great job with his first two OC picks after going through a very long process and picking two basically unknowns. I have zero issues letting him do his 12-15 interviews and finding his guy, it’s one area where I got trust in him.