Mike McDaniel has been fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. But he is unlikely to remain unemployed for long. The Detroit Lions should strike. A comment.
By Kai Esser
The Miami Dolphins took their time making their decision. On Thursday it was clear: Mike McDaniel is no longer head coach in Florida.
The dismissal is logical and understandable – but not because McDaniel’s football expertise and competence as a play designer are in question. He made his biggest mistakes in press conferences and media appearances as well as coaching decisions within a game.
Now one of the NFL’s greatest offensive geniuses, who learned from the best, is free and one team in particular should strike: the Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions: McDaniel would be the perfect Johnson successor
After Ben Johnson’s departure, it was clear that it would impact the Lions in some way. Be it creativity in playcalling or penetration in the running game.
As we now know 17 games later: both were missing. John Morton, who was supposed to replace the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, was recently released as offensive coordinator. In between, head coach Dan Campbell even withdrew the call sheet for the offense.
McDaniel could help here: Not only is he a proven expert at creating running plays, he would fit in perfectly with Detroit’s identity. They have two excellent running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who were the key to the great 2023 and 2024 seasons.
He would also complement Campbell well. The strength of the self-proclaimed kneecap biter is not calling plays, but motivation. Getting his players excited. Anyone who has ever heard Campbell give a speech would run through a wall for him, as dozens of players have already confirmed.
Mike McDaniel: Almost every team should be interested
The former Dolphins coach would also have significantly fewer media appointments as a coordinator and could focus on his work with the offense. It is unlikely that he will work as head coach again in the near future.
However, it’s not just the Lions who should consider the man from Colorado. The Baltimore Ravens with Derrick Henry or the Atlanta Falcons with Bijan Robinson, actually every team with an advertised offensive coordinator position should contact McDaniel.
The only question is: Does McDaniel want a new job immediately in the new season? His contract in Miami runs until the 2028 season, so he will continue to be paid for that long. So he wouldn’t have to start a new job straight away.
But a football-crazy professional like him can quickly get bored on the couch at home.
