Mike McDaniel was fired as the Miami Dolphins coach on Thursday, marking the end of his four-season tenure at the franchise. His dismissal came after the Dolphins finished the season with a 7-10 record, missing out on the playoffs.

Hours after his departure from the Dolphins, McDaniel has been linked to a host of offensive coordinator jobs across the NFL. Ian Rapoport reports the Detroit Lions have already reached out to the coach for their vacant OC position.

Emmanuel Acho believes McDaniel’s link to the Lions is positive news for Jahmyr Gibbs. The analyst believes the former Miami coach can help the running back achieve his full potential, bringing out massive production in the passing and rushing games.

“Jahmyr Gibbs would have 3,000 scrimmage yards if this happened,” Acho wrote.

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

Gibbs has been electric for the Lions on the ground and in the air since he was drafted out of Alabama in 2023. This season, he recorded 1, 223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while catching 77 passes for 616 yards and five touchdowns.

With Mike McDaniel’s creative, motion-heavy system, focused on wide zone running and stretching defense to create explosive plays, Emmanuel Acho believes Jahmyr Gibbs will be too much to handle for many defenses.

Dan Orlovsky believes Mike McDaniel can elevate young quarterbacks

The potential of Mike McDaniel to improve offensive players is one thing many analysts have discussed since he was fired by the Dolphins. Dan Orlovsky believes the coach will be a good option to elevate quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart and Michael Penix Jr. to the next level.

“Mike McDaniel becomes the best available offensive coach in football, and if you’re a team that’s looking to hire a new offensive coach and coordinator or has a head coach opening, you should attach yourself to Mike McDaniel,” Orlovsky said on “First Take” Thursday morning.

“If he goes to New York, you’re going to watch Jaxson Dart take off. If he goes to Atlanta, you’re going to watch a young quarterback (Michael Penix) or a Kirk Cousins play at a high level. Mike McDaniel is the most-desired offensive coach available in the NFL.”

Dart established himself as the quarterback of the future for the Giants with his performance this season. Penix, on the other hand, is who the Atlanta Falcons will be counting on in the next couple of years. Both can be the next big thing should their team hire McDaniel.