The Miami Dolphins‘ seemingly innocuous head-coaching hire could have an impact on the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff in 2026.
After Miami reportedly set themselves on Jeff Hafley has head coach Monday, Dolphins reporter Chris Kouffman floated Cowboys quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko as their potential new offensive coordinator.
Shimko has spent the past two seasons coaching the Cowboys offense under Brian Schottenheimer, moving from offensive assistant in 2024 to quarterbacks coach in 2025. With Hafley, the former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, likely to be the defensive play caller in Miami, the Fins are in need of an offensive coordinator.
Steve Shimko’s Ties To Jeff Hafley Go Back To Boston College
Shimko came to Dallas from Boston College, where he had spent four seasons under Hafley climbing from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator.
So looking to fill his staff, Hafley could load up on people he knows, including Shimko and either a Packers defensive coach or Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers coach as the defensive coordinator.
“If the Dolphins hire Jeff Hafley then I’d be on the lookout for Steve Shimko as potential Offensive Coordinator, perhaps Tem Lukabu or Sean Duggan as Defensive Coordinator,” Kouffman posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Shimko, of course, worked with Dak Prescott this season with the Cowboys. Prescott led the NFL in completions (404) and was third in the NFL in passing yards (4,552) and was fourth in the league in passing touchdowns (30) despite Dallas’ competent rushing attack that ranked ninth in the NFL in yards per game (125.6).
He would have his work cut out for him in Miami, though. The Dolphins have a massive headache on their hands, especially with their quarterback role, since Tua Tagovailoa was benched late in the season in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.
Still, if Shimko could work the same magic with Tagovailoa that he did with Prescott in 2025, things could improve in South Florida. The Cowboys QB had a down year in 2024 with 11-8 touchdown-to-interception rate, 64.7 completion% and 41.9 QBR before sustaining a hamstring tear that ended his season in Atlanta.
If Jeff Hafley Passes, Expect Steve Shimko To Stay In Dallas
Shimko may be well connected to land the Dolphins offensive coordinator role, but he is not a name that is high on too many teams’ list, especially with the names that are available to fill those roles right now.
Former head coaches Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll, plus Los Angeles Rams passing-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase are up for both offensive coordinator roles and the six remaining head-coaching gigs in the league. Former New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is highly regarded and is likely to land an OC job in the NFL, as well.
The only plausible landing spot outside of Dallas for Shimko could be the Seattle Seahawks if their offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak lands a head-coach position. Shimko spent two seasons as an offensive assistant coach in the Pacific Northwest under then-coach Pete Carroll in 2017-18 before he went to Boston College.
Still, it seems likely for Shimko to stay put unless he goes to Miami.
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