Detroit Lions fans hoping to land former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their next offensive coordinator have reason to be cautious — recent coaching market rumors suggest Detroit may face serious competition and uncertainty surrounding McDaniel’s next step, potentially complicating Detroit’s OC plans.
The Lions have reportedly reached out to McDaniel about the offensive coordinator vacancy left after Detroit fired offensive coordinator John Morton following the 2025 season. McDaniel, who was dismissed by the Dolphins after a 7–10 campaign, is known for building creative offenses during his earlier NFL coaching stints — including a top-10 scoring unit in Miami and success as San Francisco’s offensive coordinator. �
WSLS
However, several developments in the coaching carousel make Detroit’s pursuit less straightforward:
🟠 1. McDaniel Is Attracting Multiple Head Coaching Interviews
Rather than strictly considering McDaniel for an OC role, multiple teams are said to be interested in him as a head coach candidate — including franchises like the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens, all reportedly planning to interview him for their HC vacancies. � This indicates McDaniel might prioritize a head coaching return rather than dropping into a coordinator spot — which would be bad news for Detroit’s OC search strategy.
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🔁 2. McDaniel Isn’t Alone — Lions Aren’t the Only Team After Him
Detroit isn’t the only franchise linked to McDaniel. Reports suggest several teams see him as a top offensive coaching mind, and with multiple OC openings and HC interviews taking place league-wide, the market competition is fierce. �
Detroit Sports Nation
That scenario puts Detroit in a tricky position for a couple of reasons:
McDaniel may choose a head coaching opportunity over an OC role, making Detroit’s interest less likely to convert into a hire.
Other teams with OC vacancies might prioritize him more aggressively, especially if they’re also aiming for quick offensive turnarounds.
🔍 What This Means for Detroit
The Lions are searching for their third offensive coordinator in three seasons, and bringing in someone with McDaniel’s resume would represent a significant statement. Detroit’s offense regressed in 2025 compared to earlier years, leading to the midseason firing of Morton and prompting general manager Brad Holmes to explore big-name options to reinvigorate the unit. �
WSLS
But the reality of the current coaching carousel is this: McDaniel is one of the hottest coaching commodities in the NFL right now, and the open OC spot in Detroit isn’t guaranteed to be his landing place. Even if the Lions interview him, McDaniel might pursue one of the multiple head coaching gigs he’s being considered for — or choose a different franchise’s OC position that better fits his long-term goals.
For fans, that means Detroit’s interest, while real, may not be enough to secure one of the league’s most coveted offensive minds.
Mike McDaniel Rumors Could Doom Detroit’s Shot at Landing Him as OC
