The Detroit Lions will be looking for a new offensive coordinator this offseason after John Mortonwas fired on Monday. Morton was a dead man walking ever since head coach Dan Campbellrelieved the struggling OC of his play-calling duties halfway through the regular season, and now it's time to focus on finding someone who can take better advantage of the Lions' offensive weapons.
Detroit fans have spent the early offseason brainstorming potential Morton replacements; however, potentially the best candidate may have hit the open market on Wednesday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins have fired head coach Mike McDaniel after a discussion with owner Stephen Ross earlier this week.
Given Ross's connection to recently-fired Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh, as reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, McDaniel's firing isn't all that surprising — especially after back-to-back losing seasons. But despite back-to-back losing campaigns in South Beach, the 42-year-old is still the perfect candidate to help the Lions' offense reach its potential.
Lions, Dan Campbell Need Mike McDaniel After Dolphins Firing
Campbell is a fantastic team manager; no doubt about it. The Lions' HC knows how to connect with his players and coaches on a personal level, playing a big role in the success that the franchise has seen since he took the reins behind the bench. At the same time, play-calling isn't his strong suit, proven by how Detroit averaged an underwhelming 17.7 points per game in the final three outings to close out the year.
Throw in the fact that Campbell struggled to properly weaponize the likes of wideout Jameson Williams, as well as running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and it's easy to see why the Lions could use an offensive guru like McDaniel calling plays. Here's a look at how the Dolphins' offense performed in his four years in Miami:
Season | Points Per Game | Total Yards Per Game |
|---|---|---|
2022 | 23.4 (11th) | 364.5 (6th) |
2023 | 29.2 (2nd) | 401.3 (1st) |
2024 | 20.3 (22nd) | 325.9 (18th) |
2025 | 20.4 (25th) | 300.7 (26ht) |
Did the Dolphins' offensive success decline as the years passed? Yes, but a plethora of injuries also played a role in that, especially as McDaniel had to deal with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's health issues and regression in the last two seasons. He'd likely be able to achieve something close to those 2022/2023 numbers in the Motor City, especially with the embarrassment of riches the Lions have on offense.
There's no doubt that Williams and Gibbs would likely be the biggest beneficiaries of McDaniel potentially joining Campbell's staff. Like Williams, Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is a speedster who McDaniel has capitalized on, proven by the ex-Alabama playmaker averaging 1,008 receiving yards and 5.2 touchdowns through five seasons to begin his career. That's without mentioning how Tyreek Hill led the league in receiving yards (1,799) and TDs (13) under McDaniel's watch in 2023.
As for what the now-ex-Dolphins HC can do for Gibbs, look no further than De'Von Achane. The first-time Pro Bowler just led the NFL with 5.7 yards per carry while achieving career-highs in rushing yards (1,350) and total yards from scrimmage (1,838) while scoring 14 touchdowns along the way. With Gibbs having 3,768 total scrimmage yards and 38 TDs in the last two seasons alone, it's easy to see how McDaniel might take him to the next level.
McDaniel's Respect for Campbell Makes Him an Even Better Lions Fit
It'd be one thing to suggest Campbell potentially hiring McDaniel based on the latter's talent alone, but the Aurora, CO native's respect for the Lions' HC is another reason why he's a great fit.
After the Dolphins struggled against the Lions in a "frustrating" joint preseason practice in August, McDaniel made it clear that the style of football that Campbell's squad plays is exactly why he wanted the two teams to get together.
"I think it was very intentional to bring our organization to Detroit and practice against this team based on the football that they like to play," McDaniel said, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "I think they don't take practice for granted, it appears. I love (Lions coach) Dan Campbell and his approach. It's very authentic."
Between his respect for Campbell and his offensively-gifted mind, it's obvious that McDaniel must be atop the Lions' offensive coordinator candidate list moving forward. He's the type of coach who can make the most of Detroit's stars, and the fact that he sounds like he's already on the same page as Campbell, philosophy-wise, is even better.
Given his run-ins with success during his stint with the Dolphins, HC-needy teams will be lining up to convince McDaniel to join them. Although an OC role is technically a step down, the situation he'd be entering in Detroit compared to Miami wouldn't be. Helping the Lions' offense turn around and, potentially, winning a Super Bowl could mean huge things for McDaniel's career, especially if he wants to be the lead man again one day.
With both sides having everything to gain from a potential partnership, the Lions can't waste another second. Whatever it takes to convince McDaniel to join his staff, Campbell must make it happen.