Lions To Interview Mike Kafka For OC Job
The market for Mike Kafka is heating up. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Giants interim head coach will interview for the Lions offensive coordinator job on Wednesday.
We heard earlier tonight that Kafka was set to meet with the Buccaneers for the same role. The 38-year-old met with the Giants last week about a promotion to full-time head coach. As the NFL’s coaching carousel continues to spin, he could receive more interest. Teams that were eliminated from the playoffs may make staff changes this week, and others that lose offensive coordinators to head coaching jobs could call Kafka, too.
More to come…
Mike McDaniel To Interview With Falcons, Ravens For HC Position
8:00pm: McDaniel has completed his interview with the Falcons, according to the team.
10:30am: An offensive coordinator gig could await Mike McDaniel by the time the hiring cycle comes to a close. There is strong interest for a second head coaching opportunity as well, however. 
McDaniel is among the coaches who were fired last week. He has already arranged interviews with the Browns and Titans for their HC positions, and the list of suitors is growing. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Falcons and Ravens have reached out to McDaniel as well. Interviews with Atlanta and Baltimore will take place this week.
The Lions reached out to McDaniel about their offensive coordinator opening hours after his Dolphins firing. Per Pelissero, an interview for that spot will also take place shortly. Further interest for other OC positions would come as no surprise, but McDaniel is clearly a candidate to continue leading an NFL team in 2026 at this point.
Over the course of four seasons in Miami, McDaniel posted an overall record of 35-33. The team reached the playoffs in 2022 and ’23 but lost in the wild-card round both times. Things did not go according to plan over the following two seasons, with the Dolphins posting a losing record both times and the connection between McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa not producing the same success as was seen in previous years. A change of scenery for one is known to be imminent, while the other could be playing elsewhere in 2026.
Atlanta cleaned house after the regular season came to an end, firing both Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot before ‘Black Monday’ even began. The Falcons spent last week interviewing candidates for their new president of football operations role, and as expected Matt Ryan is now in place. With that front office hire having been made, attention will turn to the league’s only GM vacancy along with the search for Morris’ replacement. McDaniel spent two years with the Falcons, serving as an offensive assistant in 2015 and ’16.
Baltimore’s list of candidates to serve as John Harbaugh‘s successor is long and continuing to expand. McDaniel, 46, is among those with an offensive background and previous head coaching experience. That is rare when it comes to the 2026 hiring cycle, something which helps explain the widespread interest in McDaniel. Whether or not he emerges as a finalist for any of the league’s eight HC openings as the coaching landscape takes shape will make for a notable storyline.
Bucs To Interview Mike Kafka For OC Job
The Buccaneers are set to interview Mike Kafka for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.
Kafka, 38, has been the Giants’ offensive coordinator for the last four years. He was also named interim head coach after Brian Daboll was fired in November. Under Kafka, New York’s offense has never ranked higher than 13th in points or 15th in yards with bottom-five finishes in both categories in 2022 and 2023. He was working with a weak offensive roster, especially at quarterback, but at the same time, part of his task was developing that roster.
Kafka previously spent five years in Kansas City, including four seasons as the quarterbacks coach. In 2020, he added pass game coordinator to his title. The Chiefs offense was consistently one of the best in the NFL during his tenure, which featured the ascent of Patrick Mahomes into one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the sport. While Mahomes’ pure talent and Andy Reid‘s influence are largely credited for the unit’s success, Kafka seems to have been a key factor, too. After his departure in 2022, the Chiefs had one more season as the best offense in the NFL before falling to the middle of the league in the last three years.
In Tampa Bay, Kafka would be working with a more talented offense with improvement over the Giants’ players at nearly every position. The Buccaneers clearly felt that Josh Grizzard did not get enough out of the unit this past season and may be seeking a more experienced option. Kafka also has a connection to the franchise: during his playing career, he served as Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback for the 2014 season.
The Buccaneers are also looking for a replacement for special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who was fired along with Grizzard after the regular season. Lions assistant special teams coordinator Jett Modkins interviewed for the job on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tampa Bay’s 60.6 special teams grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) was the third-lowest in the NFL this season, though their average starting field position ranked 12th. In contrast, the Lions have consistently fielded one of the top-graded special teams units in the NFL. Their 90.5 grade was the league’s sixth-best in 2025, and their average starting field position ranked fifth.
The two interviews are part of the Buccaneers’ major offseason staff shake-up after another disappointing end to their season. Head coach Todd Bowles is clearly willing to make some changes after a 35-33 record and one playoff win in the last four years.
Lions To Interview Mike McDaniel For OC Job
The Lions expressed interest in Mike McDaniel immediately after his Dolphins ouster. Days later, the sides have scheduled a meeting.
McDaniel will interview for Detroit’s OC post on Tuesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. This process may take some time, though. McDaniel is on at least three teams’ HC radars, booking Ravens and Falcons interviews today to go with his Titans meeting.
The Lions weren’t shy about their pursuit of McDaniel, as the team reached out to him only hours after his ouster in Miami. Detroit has been hunting around for a replacement for OC John Morton, who was fired after only one season in the role. The Lions are clearly hoping to reboot an offense that sorely missed Ben Johnson in 2025, and McDaniel provides as much upside as anyone on the market.
The 42-year-old put himself on the head coaching map following his first stint as an offensive coordinator. McDaniel spent one season in that role with the 49ers, where he helped guide a Jimmy Garoppolo-led offense to a top-10 showing in total yards. Part of that offensive success was thanks to rookie RB Elijah Mitchell, who finished with 1,100 yards from scrimmage that season.
The Dolphins were quick to name McDaniel as their next franchise leader in 2022, and the coach had immediate success in Miami. He helped guide the Dolphins to playoff appearances in each of his first two seasons at the helm, with his 2023 squad representing one of the league’s best offenses. The Dolphins fell off in 2024 and 2025, partly thanks to McDaniel’s inability to control the locker room. Following a 7-10 showing this year, the 42-year-old was issued his walking papers.
Considering his initial success in Miami, McDaniel is already looking to land on his feet, as he’s garnered three head coaching interviews. Still, a job in Detroit wouldn’t be the worst fallback. While the Lions offense took a step back in 2025 and especially struggled down the stretch, the unit still finished top-five in both points and yards. While the Lions haven’t tapped into the Mike/Kyle Shanahan tree since Anthony Lynn, McDaniel would certainly warrant some consideration for the gig.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Dolphins Request HC Interview With Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard
For the second-straight season, a Lions defensive coordinator could be on the move. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins have requested permission to interview Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard for their head coaching vacancy.
[RELATED: Dan Campbell Endorses Kelvin Sheppard]
Sheppard doesn’t come with as much fanfare nor experience as Aaron Glenn did last offseason. The former third-round pick joined Detroit’s coaching staff as an OLBs coach in 2021, and he shifted to linebackers coach in 2022. He held that role for three seasons before earning the promotion to defensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Detroit’s defense took a step back with Sheppard at the helm, as the team’s points-per-game mark jumped from 20.1 in 2024 to 24.3 in 2025. This led some to speculate that the 38-year-old may not even retain his current role in 2026. However, coach Dan Campbell was quick to endorse his coordinator, noting that Sheppard has grown into the job throughout the year.
Further, Sheppard has a bit of an excuse thanks to the number of injuries on Detroit’s defense. Star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph plus cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw all spent time on injured reserve, with several of those players unavailable for the stretch run of the season. While injuries are only part of the reason for the Lions’ defensive regression, they seemingly also helped Sheppard maintain his reputation.
Now, he’ll have a chance to take the next step of his career in Miami. Sheppard actually had the most productive season of his playing career with the Dolphins in 2015, and he may be tasked with turning around a franchise that’s looking to return to their winning ways. The Dolphins currently have one of the shortest list of head coaching candidates in the league, although more names will surely be added over the next few days. The team’s current list of definitive and rumored targets includes:
- Anthony Campanile, defensive coordinator (Jaguars): Rumored candidate
- Jeff Hafley, defensive coordinator (Packers): Interview requested
- John Harbaugh, former head coach (Ravens): Contacted
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/10
- Mike McCarthy, former head coach (Cowboys): Rumored candidate
- Robert Saleh, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview requested
- Chris Shula, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Kevin Stefanski, former head coach (Browns): Rumored candidate
- Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Rumored candidate
Buccaneers Interview Israel Woolfork, David Shaw For OC Job
The Buccaneers completed virtual interviews with Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork and Lions passing game coordinator David Shaw for their offensive coordinator vacancy, per team writer Scott Smith. 
Tampa Bay moved on from OC Josh Grizzard at the end of the season after the team’s offense dropped from a top-five unit in 2024 to a bottom-half one this past season. The decision came as little surprise at the time, although it has since been followed by a number of other changes on Todd Bowles‘ staff. Finding Grizzard’s replacement in short order represents an obvious priority.
Woolfork began his coaching career in 2013 in the college ranks. His introduction to the NFL came in 2021 by means of the Bill Walsh NFL diversity coaching fellowship. After two years in Cleveland, Woolfork joined the Cardinals. He has served as the team’s QBs coach for the past three years.
Shaw’s resume is much more extensive. The 53-year-old has been in coaching since 1995 is best known for his run as Stanford’s head coach (2011-22). Shaw returned to the NFL in 2024 by joining the Broncos’ front office. That one-year Denver stint was followed by a return to the sidelines when Shaw took his current position in Detroit. The Lions endured a number of departures on their staff last year, and Shaw was among the most experienced replacements brought in.
Tampa Bay has already conducted an interview with former Titans head coach Brian Callahan. Prior to his ill-fated Tennessee gig, Callahan had a notable run as a non-playcalling OC in Cincinnati. The team has also been linked to ex-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Earlier today, it was learned Falcons OC Zac Robinson has interviewed with Tampa Bay despite the fact he is still under contract (at least for now). A reunion between the Bucs and Todd Monken for the offensive coordinator position is also something to watch for as the team seeks out its options on the coordinator market.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Lions To Interview Tee Martin, Jake Peetz For OC Role; Commanders Also Eyeing Martin
The Lions seemingly want to interview Mike McDaniel for their OC job, but they are starting the process with other names. Jake Peetz and Tee Martin are on the NFC North team’s interview list.
Peetz, the Seahawks’ pass-game coordinator, received an interview request from the Lions, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo notes. He will meet with the team. Additionally, veteran insider Jordan Schultz mentions Ravens QBs coach Tee Martin will meet about the job. Martin will interview for both the Lions and Commanders‘ OC positions next week, per Schultz.
[RELATED: David Blough On Lions’ OC Radar]
This marks another trip on the coordinator carousel for Peetz, a former Rams staffer who interviewed for the Buccaneers’ OC job in 2024. The Seahawks ended up hiring Peetz after the Bucs gave their play-calling gig to Liam Coen. Peetz has played a role in Sam Darnold‘s solid season, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the NFL in receiving on his watch as well. Peetz, 40, was not with the Rams during Jared Goff‘s tenure. He coached under Sean McVay from 2022-23.
Still best known for leading Tennessee to the national championship as Peyton Manning‘s Volunteers successor in 1998, Martin has been an NFL staffer since 2021. He has only worked with the Ravens, who promoted him to QBs coach in 2023. Martin being in that role for back-to-back Lamar Jackson first-team All-Pro seasons certainly helps his case, though Baltimore is set to change coaching staffs for the first time since 2008 thanks to firing John Harbaugh. That leaves Martin in limbo.
This is not Martin’s first time on the OC carousel, however. The former Baltimore receivers coach met with the Bills in 2022 and Colts in 2023. Neither Peetz nor Martin (47) have called plays in the NFL. That will not be a prerequisite, per Lions GM Brad Holmes (via ESPN.com’s Eric Woodyard). Morton had not called plays in the NFL in eight years, but Dan Campbell took over that responsibility in Week 10 of this season before firing the assistant.
The Commanders interviewed Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells for their OC job Thursday. While John Morton struggled in Detroit, Martin will be interviewing to replace Kliff Kingsbury in Washington. The Commanders parted ways with their two-year OC due largely to disagreements between he and GM Adam Peters. Kingsbury, meanwhile, received an HC interview request from the Ravens.
Lions Could Trade RB David Montgomery
After firing John Morton on Tuesday, the Lions are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator. Commanders assistant quarterbacks coach (and former Lions QB) David Blough and ex-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel have emerged as early candidates. Regardless of who lands the job, it doesn’t appear running back David Montgomery is a lock to remain among the Lions’ offensive weapons in 2026.
The 28-year-old Montgomery took on a lesser role this season, his third in Detroit. It could go down as his last in a Lions uniform. Asked about Montgomery’s future on Thursday, general manager Brad Holmes didn’t rule out an offseason trade.
“Those are discussions that we’re going to have to have a lot more in depth in terms of what is the best plan for him going forward,” Holmes said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “Is it somewhere else or whatever the case be.”
Montgomery, a 2019 third-round pick from Iowa State, spent his first four NFL seasons with the NFC North rival Bears. The Lions brought him in on a three-year, $18MM contract in March 2023.
Montgomery’s presence didn’t stop the Lions from using a first-rounder on fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs a month and a half later. Both moves have worked out brilliantly for Detroit. The two RBs (aka “Sonic” and “Knuckles”) have formed one of the league’s top tandems during their three years together.
The electric Gibbs has established himself as the Lions’ lead back, but Montgomery has still seen plenty of action. With Ben Johnson running the offense during Montgomery’s first two years as a Lion, the 5-foot-11, 230-pounder combined for 28 games and averaged 202 carries, 908 yards and about 13 rushing touchdowns per season.
Although Montgomery posted his first career 17-game campaign in 2025, his playing time diminished with Morton and then head coach Dan Campbell calling plays. Despite recording a 4.5 YPC, Montgomery amassed single-season lows in carries (158) and yards (716). He found the end zone eight times on the ground, but that was still a four-TD drop from his 2024 output.
“He deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized,” Holmes said. “And so yeah, would love it for it to be here, but if it can’t be here, then you would have to just see what you can work out the best for him.”
Holmes isn’t under any immediate pressure to make a decision on Montgomery, who has two years left on his second Lions contract. The team awarded Montgomery a three-year, $18.25MM extension with $10.5MM in guarantees in October 2024. Montgomery’s due to count approximately $8.37MM against the Lions’ salary cap in 2026. Trading or releasing him before June 1 would leave the Lions with around $4.86MM in dead money. It would also create another hole on the roster.
Gibbs is one of the league’s premier backs, but subtracting Montgomery would leave the Lions perilously thin at the position. Quarterback Jared Goff‘s 19 rushing attempts ranked third on the team in 2025, meaning Holmes will have to find a capable replacement for Montgomery if he goes in another direction.
Lions Eyeing Mike McDaniel For OC Job
Hours after the Dolphins bailed on a potential plan to give Mike McDaniel a fifth season as head coach, the experienced play-caller is drawing offensive coordinator interest.
The Lions reached out to McDaniel about their OC vacancy, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Detroit fired John Morton after one season. McDaniel figures to be a coveted commodity on the OC carousel, and it should not be deemed out of the question HC-needy teams express interest.
There will be competition for McDaniel’s services on the OC market, should he drop below the HC level during this cycle. A number of teams and prospective HCs have the newly available coach on their OC list, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds. The Lions, however, do present a favorable option for play-callers given their offensive personnel and recent success.
While the Lions have not used anyone from the Mike/Kyle Shanahan tree since Anthony Lynn — whom Dan Campbell demoted during his first season calling plays (2021) — it is clear the team is interested in a potential transition. McDaniel learned under Kyle Shanahan at multiple stops, and considering the popularity of this genre of offense leaguewide, such a transition certainly shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for the Lions. After all, Jared Goff developed under Mike Shanahan disciple Sean McVay in Los Angeles.
McDaniel (feat. Tyreek Hill) reignited Tua Tagovailoa‘s career upon arrival in Miami four years ago. The former No. 5 overall pick led the NFL in yards per attempt and passer rating in 2022, paced the league in passing yardage in 2023 and in completion percentage in 2024. Miami’s offense steadily declined under McDaniel, however, sinking from second (2023) to 22nd (2024) to 25th (’25). This period ended with Tagovailoa’s benching and both McDaniel and GM Chris Grier being fired.
The Dolphins were believed to be more likely to retain McDaniel, but a Wednesday report indicated GM candidates were being asked for their thoughts about working with him. Despite some ex-McDaniel coworkers in the mix, the Dolphins moved on and will align their GM and HC positions this offseason. The Lions have an established head coach in Campbell, who also spent time in Miami during Stephen Ross‘ ownership tenure (and with Grier in the front office), but they swung and missed on Morton.
Detroit did not conduct a thorough search upon hiring Morton. With McDaniel in demand, the Lions will likely reach out to more candidates this time around. With McDaniel a minority candidate, however, the Lions would not need to interview a second option. The Rooney Rule only mandates one external minority candidate be interviewed for coordinator positions — as opposed to two for HC and GM posts. Though, the team still will be likely to meet with multiple candidates given the moving parts here.
Falcons Request Robert Saleh HC Interview; Team To Speak With Mike Disner For Football Operations Role
The Falcons have a vacancy at the head coach and general manager positions. Atlanta will also soon have a new president of football operations. 
A hire for the football ops role will take place before the other positions are filled. Matt Ryan remains the favorite in that capacity, but other options are (as required) being explored as well. Interviews will take place beginning today. Ian Cunningham (Bears) has received an interview request. The same is also true of Josh Williams (49ers), while Brandt Tilis (Panthers) will speak with Atlanta about the gig.
A fifth candidate has emerged for the new front office spot. Lions COO Mike Disner will interview today for the president of football operations gig, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports. Cunningham’s interview will take place tomorrow, he adds. All five will have spoken with Atlanta by the end of Friday; a hire will be expected shortly thereafter.
Disner began working in the NFL with the Cardinals in 2013. His six-year run in Arizona was followed by a move to Detroit. Disner has been with the Lions since 2019, previously serving as the team’s senior vice president of football and business operations. Since 2022, he has worked in his current capacity. Disner was connected to the Panthers’ GM opening in 2024 but withdrew from consideration.
As for Atlanta’s head coaching search, another interview request has been filed. According to Breer, the Falcons are among the teams looking to speak with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. An interview cannot take place until next week in his case, but Saleh figures to be busy fielding interest from a number of teams. He has already received an interview request from the Cardinals, and more are expected over the coming days.
Saleh, 46, gained steam as a head coaching candidate during his first stint leading San Francisco’s defense (2017-20). Things did not go as planned with the Jets, but Saleh is among the top options in terms of coaches who could land a second HC opportunity during the 2026 hiring cycle. Atlanta went the route of a veteran, defense-oriented coach last time around by reuniting with Raheem Morris. It will be interesting to see if a similar approach is taken this year.