Every year a handful of NFL teams move on from their head coaches and a new crop of coaches takes over. Sometimes it’s someone who’s tried their hand at the profession before while other times it’s someone who’s worked their way up the ranks looking for their first shot.
The Miami Dolphins just made that move this past offseason, moving on from Brian Flores to bring in Mike McDaniel.
This upcoming offseason will bring more changes around the league, and that could mean a member of the Dolphins’ staff could get an opportunity to run their own team.
Last week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero listed offensive coordinator Frank Smith as a name to watch for the next coaching cycle. Now, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson is saying that Miami’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, Darrell Bevell, is a name that’s “gaining momentum.”
As the coaching carousel draws near, 1 name to watch for that’s gaining momentum is #Dolphins QB coach/ Pass Game Coordinator Darrell Bevell given his success w/ Tua this season. Bevell was previously Interim HC with the Lions in 2020 & Jaguars in 2021 + (2) SB runs w/ Seattle.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 21, 2022
While most of the credit for Tua Tagovailoa’s improvement this year will go to McDaniel and the talented group of offensive weapons, Bevell deserves some as well.
He’s had opportunities to work with Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford, so he knows what it takes to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Earlier in the month, after Tagovailoa said that Bevell was the coach that could count on for the harsh truth, Smith complimented Bevell for being the right guy to be in between the coach and quarterback.
“I think that Darrell Bevell is the perfect complement to what we’re doing with the quarterbacks,” McDaniel said. “I mean, he is so just methodical in his approach. On the little details of all the things, I mean, he’s just always so locked in on making sure that the quarterbacks are fundamentally sound, understanding the execution of each play, the timing of each play, understanding the nuances of what we’re trying to do. And I think it’s a perfect complement for us because with his experience of being a coordinator in this league for so long, and then with Mike’s personality, a lot of our personalities and Tua’s personality, it’s just a great offset because as you get through the league, you don’t want to have a staff full of everyone with the same personality type, everyone of the same mindset.”
He has the experience, and he has the trust of his guys. Now, he just needs the opportunity. Could that be next year?