GLENDALE – He did not pan out well in Miami, but the Cardinals could be the perfect spot for Mike McDaniel.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with the wide receivers during joint practice with the Detroit Lions at the Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park, Thursday, Aug. 14 2025
The 42-year-old has been around the hottest offensive minds in football — including Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Matt LaFleur — but he wants to redeem himself. McDaniel got the most out of Tua Tagovailoa, despite multiple concussions hampering his career as a quarterback. He mentored the former University of Alabama standout to two 3,000-plus passing seasons in 2022 and 2023. Tagovailoa posted a career-high 4,624 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2023, en route to earning a Pro Bowl nod and being the league’s passing leader. The Cardinals don’t know what will become of Kyler Murray, but McDaniel can coach him should he stay. A new scenery for him in Phoenix (Ariz.) would allow him to draft his quarterback.
Robert Saleh’s one demand if the Cardinals want him to be head coach in 2026
What do the Cardinals need?
The Cardinals need a fresh offensive mind to reset its pieces, and McDaniel fits the bill.
We have seen signal-callers such as Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner revive their careers in the Arizona, so it is not far-fetched to believe the Cardinals could reinvigorate a coach like McDaniel. He made the playoffs in two of four seasons (2022-25) for the Dolphins, showing he would have the capability to lead the Cardinals to a place it has not been since 2021.
McDaniel learned under Shanahan in San Francisco as he helped the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season.
Dec 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the field following a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Arizona is not viewed as a serious competitor in the NFC West, but a competent head coach would make it one.
It is one of multiple teams in the National Football League in need of a head coach, but the Cardinals also need someone that could come in, nail the upcoming NFL Draft, and put the team in a respected place within the league.
Arizona has interviewed some names — including Robert Saleh and Jeff Hafley — but McDaniel needs to be considered.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
