Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur figures to keep a close eye on Week 3's showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. You may be asking: Why does a Thursday Night Football clash between two AFC East rivals pique his interest?
It's a fair question to ask, especially considering oddsmakers have the Bills as the biggest point-spread betting favorite of the 2025 NFL campaign to date. What can LaFleur and the Packers legitimately gain from a contest featuring two out-of-conference opponents that has execution-style blowout written all over it?
Mike McDaniel.
Pressure is mounting on McDaniel in Miami; he's sitting on a hot seat that's getting toastier with each passing day. A primetime shellacking at the hands of the Bills could seal his fate as the Dolphins' sideline general. Regardless, the end is near for him in South Beach, giving LaFleur a chance to swoop in with a job offer when the moment comes.
Packers HC Matt LaFleur should monitor Mike McDaniel's impending doom with Dolphins
LaFleur has a deep-rooted connection with McDaniel that dates back to 2008. So, it wouldn't be surprising if the former eventually capitalizes on the bleak situation in Miami and brings the latter onto Green Bay's coaching staff. After all, we saw an identical situation play out when the New York Jets fired Robert Saleh last season.
The Packers hired Saleh as an offensive assistant following the Jets' decision to dismiss him. He notably overlapped with LaFleur (and McDaniel) as members of the Houston Texans organization nearly two decades ago, and the rest is history. Green Bay's frontman was the best man at his wedding, highlighting the strength of their bond.
Why shouldn't we anticipate LaFleur to continue tapping into the network he built in Houston if the Dolphins relieve McDaniel of his duties? Miami's downfall presents an opportunity to add a once-burgeoning play-caller/designer to a group that's already chock-full of 'em for the Packers.
Some people aren't meant to lead, which is more than okay, but McDaniel might be one of them. Nevertheless, his lone campaign as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator in 2023 shouldn't be brushed aside. He's proven capable of directing a high-powered scoring unit, which the Packers have the potential to be -- they just need a little extra help.
McDaniel was an offensive assistant for the Texans for three years from 2006 to 2008, which is where he and LaFleur first collaborated. They rejoined forces in 2015 and 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons. The former served in the same role, and the latter got promoted from quality control coach in Houston to quarterbacks coach.