By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s dream candidate is suddenly one of the hottest names on the entire coaching market — and that may leave the Lions empty-handed.
The Detroit Lions entered the offseason knowing they needed to get the offensive coordinator hire right after parting ways with John Morton. Very quickly, one name rose above the rest: former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, a play-design savant whose creativity once made Miami one of the league’s most feared attacks.
Now, just days into the coaching cycle, that dream is already in jeopardy.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that McDaniel won’t be choosing between coordinator gigs — he’ll be choosing between head-coaching opportunities.
“Former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will interview this week for the Browns, Falcons, Titans and Ravens head coaching jobs, per sources.”
Pelissero also added that Detroit remains in the mix.
“McDaniel also is scheduled to interview for the Lions OC job. One of the NFL’s top offensive minds is in high demand.”
For Lions fans, that last sentence cuts both ways.
Detroit’s Perfect OC Might Be Chasing Something Bigger
On paper, McDaniel is exactly what Detroit needs. The Lions are stocked with playmakers, desperate for offensive innovation, and hoping to recreate the magic that once flowed under Ben Johnson. McDaniel’s track record of building explosive, scheme-driven offenses makes him the ideal reset button.
But there’s a brutal reality in the NFL: coordinators dream of head-coaching jobs, not the other way around.
Detroit can offer McDaniel influence, stability, and a talented roster. What it can’t offer is the top chair. Baltimore, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Tennessee can.
That likely puts the Lions in a secondary position no matter how strong their pitch is.
Four Jobs, Four Different Lures
Each of the teams courting McDaniel brings something unique to the table.
- Cleveland Browns – Not exactly glamorous, but a total offensive reset could appeal to a coach who thrives on building systems from scratch. Even without a locked-in quarterback, the blank slate may feel like creative freedom.
- Tennessee Titans – A potential franchise passer in Cam Ward immediately makes this opening intriguing.
- Baltimore Ravens – A roster built to win now, with infrastructure already in place.
- Atlanta Falcons – Another offense filled with enticing skill-position talent and immediate upside.
When you line those options up against an offensive coordinator role — even in Detroit — the choice feels obvious.
The Lions’ Only Path Back to the Front of the Line
There is one scenario where Detroit suddenly becomes the favorite.
If McDaniel strikes out in those four head-coaching interviews, the Lions instantly become the most attractive landing spot left on the board. At that point, Detroit’s combination of talent, culture, and opportunity to rebuild an offense in his image could be enough to seal the deal.
Until then, though, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are stuck watching the league circle their top target — and hoping there’s still something left when the music stops.