After an inconsistent year on the offensive side of the ball it’s clear the Atlanta Falcons offense needs an experienced, and creative offensive coordinator and play caller that has had success at the NFL level.
Now, even though his time in Miami didn’t end well Mike McDaniel fits that bill, and earlier today The Morning Shift explained why the Falcons should seriously consider bringing Mike McDaniel back to be the team’s next OC.
“I would take him absolutely as an OC.” Beau Morgan said.
Mike Johnson would also like to see McDaniel as the Falcons next Offensive Coordinator, but isn’t sure if he’ll be on the market long enough for the Falcons to hire him.
“Mike McDaniel would be good for that role, but I don’t know that he’s gonna wait around for us to hire a head coach before he accepts one of the other roles for the teams that, like I said, are interviewing for coordinators.” Mike said
McDaniel has already interviewed for the Falcons’ open Head Coach job, and is also reportedly interviewing for some other head coach openings as well, so that could help buy the Falcons some time because McDaniel does have some experience and connections to Atlanta that would make him a good fit to be the Falcons next OC.
When Mike McDaniel was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2015-2016, he served as an Offensive Assistant under Head Coach Dan Quinn and Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan, a period that included the Falcons' Super Bowl appearance in 2016. He worked closely with Shanahan and was instrumental in the offense's success, helping develop the team's system before following Shanahan to the 49ers.
Who was the Falcons quarterback during that time? None other than the Falcons new President of Football Matt Ryan. Also worth noting, during McDaniel’s time in Miami where he called the offensive plays he worked and had success with left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and of course Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is left-handed as well.
Again, McDaniel has interviewed for the Falcons’ open Head Coach job, so he still can’t be ruled out for that, but if he doesn’t become the Falcons next Head Coach, he would definitely make a good offensive coordinator.