Mike McDaniel Painted Today As “Favorite” For Bucs Job
January 20th, 2026
It seems Mike McDaniel joining his friend and former 49ers colleague Robert Saleh in Tennessee is far from a done deal.
About 9:30 a.m. today, a new edition of The Breer Report dropped. It’s hosted by NFL insider and SI.com reporter Albert Breer, who through the Jason Licht administration has maintained a pipeline into One Buc Palace.
Breer talked about how Saleh, the new Titans head coach, will have formidable competition for McDaniel’s playcalling services. And that would be from Tampa Bay.
“McDaniel is still in the Browns [head] coaching search; he’s set to have a second interview in Cleveland tomorrow with the Browns. He’s in the running for the Buccaneers offensive coordinator job, if not the favorite for that job,” Breer said.
While none of this is new, per se, the report is fresh and Joe has no doubt Breer checked on the status of everything after Saleh got the Titans job last night.
When Breer said “favorite,” is he getting that info from the Bucs’ camp? McDaniel? Very interesting.
Bucs fans want McDaniel. And it seems Todd Bowles does, too. Why wouldn’t they? McDaniel checks all the boxes if the Bucs are looking for an experienced guy to hit the ground running, and one who can maximize weapons.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
“It’s the least I can do to try and salvage my BIG mistake,” Love Hugh
January 20th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Can he coach the defense too? Lol.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
maybe Cleveland will offer him the HC job and the Glazers will match it with the Bucs’ HC job
January 20th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
HC in waiting. Pay the man.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
All well and good BUT does McDaniel value the Bucs job with such a lacky as HC for now… I HIGHLY doubt it… Such better longer term options still to be filled!
January 20th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Sorry but not understanding why we are spending so much time dwelling on offensive coordinator and absolutely zero time discussing why there is no talk about hiring a defensive coordinator. Makes no sense
January 20th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
If there’s any real chance of hiring Mike McDaniel as OC, Tood will surely Bloweszo it. Who wants to work for a Loser who blames everyone else for his own failures? Who refuses to implement obvious corrective actions?
Can’t take it. Fire him. Demand he hire a full time DC and then fire him when he refuses.
Let’s go.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
🤞
January 20th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Listening to John H. now with NY and his vision and what je is saying makes me jealous. He wants to ne good teachers that allow their vision to ne understood so they can play fast and with confidence.
Bowles may never understand this.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Fire Bowles, hire McDaniels….don’t lose out on another good HC
January 20th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
If he wanted it he would have accepted it. Now hes off to another interview with the Clowns. I don’t see him here.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
McDaniel as OC and Mc Dermott as defensive coordinator then let’s go to the super bowl!!!!
January 20th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
FormerBucFan Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Sorry but not understanding why we are spending so much time dwelling on offensive coordinator and absolutely zero time discussing why there is no talk about hiring a defensive coordinator. Makes no sense
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BINGO!!!!!!
Joe, Will Todd be the DC and defensive play caller for 2026 or are their plans to bring in someone?
we know offense sells tickets but defense wins championships
GO BUCS!!!!
January 20th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
I would be shocked to see him go to Tennessee. Almost as much as I would be if he wound up in Tampa Bay!
January 20th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Let’s hope there is much more going on behind the scenes than we know..Let’s hope..Go Bucs
January 20th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
If we could just improve our scoring back to +7 points per game as was in 2024, it would be huge. That average would have made a 14 win season in 2025, even with Lovie Bowels incompetence.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Bowles is going to be the DC, and the defense is going to suck.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Bucs=Joke.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Grizzards 2025 offense scored 45 more points Canales 2023 offense. This endless offensive coordinator talk is all a charade
January 20th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
So happy to hear Todd is all in too. Fantastic! It’s a win-win if Mike comes as our OC. I think he would be great for the players too. Crossing fingers!
January 20th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
But does McDaniel have the Bucs as his “favorite”?
I think it’s so funny the Bucs have to wait for other teams to fill their positions before they find out who they can hire. But this is a desirable job right? Lol
January 20th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
“When Breer said “favorite,” is he getting that info from the Bucs’ camp? McDaniel? Very interesting”
Sounds more like favorite candidate than it does Tampa as McDaniels’ favorite. Either way, he’s gotta come back to Florida eventually lol
January 20th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
My Bucs fan sentiment aside, I still wouldn’t touch Cleveland with a ten foot pole. Nor Tennessee nor Miami nor Arizona.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
We’re not focusing on DC because the Glazers either don’t have the balls to tell Bowles to hire one, or they’d prefer to save money and have another mediocre season.
Why do successful organizations ditch their head coach even after successful seasons? What separates us from Seattle? Both founded in 1976 but with wildly different win rates since inception. What has been the one steady factor?
This organization needs new ownership.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Yall need to stop with the McDermott for DC chatter. As much as I’d love to have him there’s NO WAY he is gonna come in and take orders from Bowleszo the Clown. That’d be like Harbugh or Tomlin coming to Atlanta to work for Raheem if he were still the HC.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
If it’s between the Bucs and Browns, the Bucs are the better option.
If he chooses the Browns, he’ll regret it.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Bus will offer more t h an the Browns
January 20th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
If McDaniel comes to the Buccaneers, I’ll be playing the Buccaneers to win the NFC next year. I had Seattle this year after they got their QB. The overreaction of our fair-weather fans is ridiculous. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong this year. Our talent on offense is as good as anyone in the NFC. The defense will get a makeover through the draft and free agency. I trust Licht. Who thought Seattle and New England would likely be playing for championships and rings? The NFL is not Major League Baseball. We were 6-6 in one score games. Wins over the Saints, Carolina, and the Dolphins would have given us 11 wins and all three games were losses by a field goal. The negativity is way out of line. I’m not an apologist for Bowles. He had a bad year, but an offense that scores 4 points more a gamed would likely have given us 12 wins.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Someone please ask Team Glazer what they are doing to address Bucs pathetic defense? Other than making a few ex coaches scapegoats. Whether it is McDaniel, Taylor, Jon Gruden or the Ghost of Bill Walsh, it really doesn’t matter. Whether they re-sign Mike Evans – it doesn’t matter. What MATTERS is how they address the DEFENSE! Any competent OC can coach that unit even if they are under an in-competent Todd Bowles.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Assuming McDaniels wants to be able to be selective of where he becomes a head coach next, coming to the Bucs above all others makes the most sense. Titans are a trainwreck on offense. A talented rookie QB and that’s it. Plus… he’s hedging his bets on a rookie QB. The Browns HC job is a HC job… but it’s Cleveland… and he had better be able to deal with the Sanders situation. If he chooses him as starting QB, he’s got a below average rookie QB he has his future mortgaged to… if he goes another direction, he’ll be criticized for that too. The Browns don’t have much talent on O either. The Bucs, on the other hand, are exactly what he needs. They have tons of talent on the offensive side of the ball, they underachieved in 2025, he comes into a situation with a proven gutty playmaker at QB, lots of talent at WR, a very good OLine, good RBs… he comes in and gets that offense humming again and he’ll be able to choose his next destination. He might even get the Bucs job if they are middling and the defense stinks. Between Florida weather and Florida taxes, one of the best places to be is Tampa. Plus, they have very patient owners. Tampa is the best situation he can find himself in. Either here or somewhere else, if he does his job and makes this offense good again, he’ll be in the control seat.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai – You can say that again. The Bucs are the best option over the Browns. And because of their error in judgement in picking the wrong QB, we got Baker!
January 20th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Great, bring in the skinny nerd. If it gets below 85 he’ll be shaking like a chihuahua.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
can we fire T.B. and hire The Buffalo Coach instead.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
I actively visit this site less than I would otherwise due to the comments being dumb icky and toxic
January 20th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Browns have made a lot of errors in judgement. Their salary cap is a disaster. Offensive line has issues but the do have a few interesting skill guys. Defense is fairly good. No way to speculate on what MM will do or what he is being offered. Presumably far more than Bucs’ will for OC money. Finger crossed.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
All he needs is a big red nose and two tufts of bright red hair sticking out either side of his head. What a disgrace. What a failure.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
We need a new defensive coordinator as well. Oh…wait.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Would like to see McDaniel come to the Bucs but, there’s just to much competition for his services. As for the Browns, that organization has been dysfunctional very since Art Modell move the original Browns organization to Baltimore. Nonetheless, I am sure the Bucs have a plan B and for McDaniel going to the Browns depends on what kind of package the Browns offer
January 20th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Anybody that wants the Cleveland job needs their head examined. Bad ownership is the worst thing that can happen to an NFL Team. Can anyone say “Culverhouse”? Cleveland is that bad and won’t get any better until Haslett sells that team. It’s where coaches go to die.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Has anyone interviewed for the DC position with the Bucs? Probably not Todd wants to stay the DC and take on all those positions that have retired and/or been fired. DB and Safety coaches, Special Teams, etc. Todd can do it all. At least he believes he can. The reality is that he doesn’t do anything except lower the standards for a professional football team. The Bucs do not watch film, do not practice during the week, do not game plan, do not adjust during games. I think Jason also has a hand in this fiasco, there are no backups on the Bucs that would make another team’s practice squad much less start.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Since the Glazers punted on the 2026 season (keeping Bowles around), I doubt McDaniel would choose the Bucs, with other options.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
I have 0.0 % confidence McDaniel will end up here. What established coach is going to want to work under Bowles? We’ll end up with some no name scrub who never called plays before. Again.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
“”an we fire T.B. and hire The Buffalo Coach instead.””
That would make too much sense. We have fools for owners. They’re complete fools for extending Bowles contract for no reason whatsoever and they’re morons for doubling down on their stupidity by keeping him and his DC intact.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
We’ve had two good offensive coordinators in the last three seasons. Did that help bowles and his defense? Didn’t appear to. Cut the head off the snake Glazers!
January 20th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Great photo of Todd smiling! Thinking that when we get the OC, hopefully MM, other areas will be filled too. Could be a brand new look and feel coming up alongside Todd. It can make a difference too. Thinking positive. Go Bucs!
January 20th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
why do folks think the BUCS are the better option?!?..lol…
would you rather be the CEO of Krisy Kream Donuts?…
or would you rather be a branch manager of an Apple store?
GO BUCS!!!!
January 20th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Hopefully McDaniel has some “minority” in him, the Glazers certainly are suckers for that.
January 20th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
I would imagine that he’s the favorite candidate for us. There’s not really any competition for that designation.
The more important question is where does this opportunity rank on his list?
January 20th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
He is not AFC NORTH coach material . He is a west coast of Florida offensive cord. Material . We welcome you mike !
January 20th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
I think Tampa has proven a great launch pad for head coaches. Why go to the Titans for 2 years when you can come to a talented team like the Bucs, put up 30+ points a game, and either take over as HC if Bowles gets walking papers OR take HC interviews from a stable winning team where if he doesn’t get the HC somewhere, he’ll put another season in beautiful Tampa with a young QB in his prime, great receiver core, great OL, great owners. What’s not to like? I wouldn’t pass up Tampa for anything less than HC if I was a talented offensive minded coach.
January 20th, 2026 at 2:38 pm
No to fast… Robert Salah got the Titans job… ya think that he wants Mike McD?
January 20th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
Smoke screen. McDaniels is using Tampa as leverage to squeeze the Titans. I’ve seen this game before. I hope Im wrong but it looks like Tampa is being used.
January 20th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Bonan says… “Why do successful organizations ditch their head coach even after successful seasons? What separates us from Seattle? Both founded in 1976 but with wildly different win rates since inception. What has been the one steady factor?
This organization needs new ownership.”
I say the Buc’s are very successful! They have 2 Lombardi’s!!! Seattle only 1! Chicago only 1! That’s twice as many them for those not so great at math. Of course those teams played way better this season!! And Seattle has a good chance to equal the Buc’s total this season.
January 20th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Tampa is absolutely being played against the Titans for more money before he goes to Nashville.
January 20th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
He’s coming bank it news will drop by Friday!!!!
January 20th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
McDaniel has the same record as TB zero.
A match made in heaven.
Plus he does know how to beat the defensive guru.
So there’s that….
January 20th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
But Why Take a second interview with he Browns if I’m MM why not just Give the Bucs a answer na make it official what is he waiting for info understand what is taking so long is Tampa his Back up Choice like what’s up
January 20th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Tampa would be a much better choice than the Titans. Tennessee is several years and drafts away from being competitive.
I’d imagine Mcdaniels would be more inclined to take an OC position where he could have an immediate impact and not be part of a full rebuild.
January 20th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
#MoveOnMcDaniel
the future is now
January 20th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
saleh, like bowles is better suited as a DC…
salah is putting himself in another jets type situationship…
if mcdaniel is smart, he sees the writing on the wall, and i don’t think he likes country music all that much