NFL Rumors: Mike McDaniel Interviewing With First Team Since Firing

January 12, 2026 ,

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel walks on the field before 2025 game.

The Cleveland Browns are set to interview former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on Monday as they continue their search for a new leader following the dismissal of Kevin Stefanski. 

Multiple reports indicate McDaniel quickly emerged as a serious candidate after being fired by Miami last week, with Cleveland long viewing him as one of the league’s more creative offensive minds.

Why Mike McDaniel Is on Cleveland’s Radar

McDaniel went 35–33 over four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, reaching the playoffs twice and building offenses around speed, spacing, and motion. His best stretch came early, when Miami went 20–14 across his first two seasons behind a productive attack led by Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. 

The past two years were more uneven, with Miami finishing 15–19 and dealing with quarterback injuries and inconsistency, ultimately leading to McDaniel’s dismissal despite his strong offensive reputation. 

How McDaniel Fits the Browns’ Coaching Search

Cleveland’s interest in McDaniel is rooted in a pressing need to overhaul an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in both scoring and yardage. 

Browns general manager Andrew Berry is overseeing a wide-ranging search that includes internal candidates Jim Schwartz and Tommy Rees, along with several coordinators around the league.

McDaniel’s prior connection to Cleveland, where he coached wide receivers in 2014, adds familiarity, and he would immediately become the most experienced head coach the team has interviewed so far. 

While McDaniel is also scheduled to speak with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland is viewed as one of the strongest landing spots if he looks to remain a head coach rather than moving to a coordinator role. 

Photo Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

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