The temperature went up on the search for a new offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their first choice, Mike McDaniel, decided to take the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday.
Missing out on their first choice isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for 2026 for the Buccaneers … but missing out on your second or third choice? That’s when things get kind of dicey.
“McDaniel chose Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert over Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield,” Tampa Bay Times NFL reporter Rick Stroud wrote on X.
This is where the pressure comes in, and we’ll likely see things pick up in the next few days — starting with former Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan getting an in-person interview on Thursday.
“The Buccaneers are bringing ex-Titans coach Brian Callahan back for a second interview for their offensive coordinator spot tomorrow, per sources,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on X. “With Mike McDaniel off the market, Callahan, ex-Falcons OC Zac Robinson and Bengals OC Dan Pitcher are among those still in it.”
“The Eagles and Bucs both had Mike McDaniel as their top OC target, but going back to the West Coast with a QB like Justin Herbert was more appealing,” The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov wrote on X.
Callahan Fell Flat in First Head Coaching Opportunity
Callahan, the son of former Oakland Raiders and University of Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan, was fired after a 1-5 start to the 2025 regular season with the Titans.
Brian Callahan went 4-19 in less than 2 seasons as Tennessee’s head coach, including a 3-4 record in his first season which led to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, where he selected University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
The Titans replaced Callahan as head coach with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Embarrassing Moment in Loss to Broncos
Brian Callahan’s fate may have been sealed as early as Week 1, following a 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos after he incorrectly decided not to challenge a call that ruled out a 23-yard catch made by rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, who managed to make the catch and get his elbow down before going out of bounds.
“An elbow doesn’t equal two feet, so his foot would’ve had to come down as well,” Callahan said after the game.
NFL rules clearly state either 2 feet need to come down inbounds or any body part other than the hand. Like an elbow, for example.
“My interpretation of the rule was wrong,” Callahan told ESPN’s Turron Davenport on September 8. “I’ll own it. I didn’t do a good enough job in that moment, and I should have challenged it, and it probably would’ve resulted in a potential explosive play. I misspoke. I’m well aware of the rule, I understand how it works, and the way that I articulated it afterwards was incorrect. And I understand the rules of this game pretty well.”
The Buccaneers had both of their coordinator positions open after the season and have already filled one of them, hiring longtime Steelers assistant Danny Smith as special teams coordinator. Head coach Todd Bowles also serves as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Buccaneers Bring Back Former AFC Head Coach for Second OC Interview