Why Brian Daboll Could Be Detroit's Next Offensive Coordinator
Daboll’s track record makes him an intriguing—but complicated—candidate for the Lions’ OC position
The New York Giants just fired Brian Daboll after a catastrophic 2-8 start, and the Detroit Lions are facing their own offensive coordinator crisis with Dan Campbell stripping play-calling duties from John Morton. Could the former NFL Coach of the Year be the answer to Detroit’s offensive struggles? An in-depth analysis reveals why Daboll’s track record with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills makes him an intriguing—but complicated—candidate for the Lions’ OC position should it open up in 2026.
FROM COACH OF THE YEAR TO UNEMPLOYMENT
On Monday, November 10th, 2025, the New York Giants made it official: Brian Daboll has been relieved of his duties as head coach after nearly four seasons. The move comes after a disastrous 2-8 start that left ownership with no choice but to make a change. Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
The firing represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in recent NFL history. Just three years ago, Daboll won the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year award after leading the Giants to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings in his first season. His overall record as head coach: 17-22-1 (.438 winning percentage).
WHAT WENT WRONG? WHERE DID THE MAGIC GO?
The Giants’ offensive regression under Daboll was undeniable. After ranking middle-of-the-pack in 2022, the offense plummeted to near-bottom rankings in scoring, total yards, and efficiency from 2023-2025. Multiple sources within the organization point to several key factors in Daboll’s downfall:
1. The Daniel Jones Disaster: After Jones’ promising 2022 playoff run, the Giants committed $160 million to a quarterback they walked away from just two seasons later. Raising questions about whether Daboll’s system artificially inflated his value or whether the coach simply couldn’t sustain the development.
2. Offensive Philosophy Failures: Despite his reputation as an offensive guru, Daboll’s schemes became stale and predictable. Opposing defensive coordinators figured out the Giants’ tendencies, and Daboll failed to adapt.
3. Roster Construction Issues: While GM Joe Schoen bears the primary responsibility, Daboll’s input on personnel decisions—particularly at skill positions—has been questioned. The lack of explosive playmakers has hamstrung the offense.
4. Leadership and Culture: Loss of locker room confidence as the losses mounted. Sources indicate that Daboll’s intense, demanding coaching style wore thin as losses mounted. Coaches tend to get away with more when the wins are plenty.
5. In-Game Management: Daboll’s decision-making in critical moments—fourth-down calls, clock management, challenge flags—came under increasing scrutiny as the losses piled up.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING: DAN CAMPBELL TAKES CONTROL OVER AILING OFFENSE
After the Vikings loss—where the Lions managed just 65 rushing yards and averaged 21.7 points per game over their previous three contests—Dan Campbell made the decision to take over play-calling duties from John Morton before the Week 10 matchup against Washington.
Campbell’s level of concern after the Vikings loss was understated but clear:
“Yeah, I mean, look, I know this. It’s something where – OK man, you go into the Bye and you look at a few things and then we make a couple of tweaks and come out and you’re like, ‘Ah.’
So, I don’t know if concern is the right word, but we got to clean it up. We probably got to do a couple of things a little different. And we were, we were doing a few things different. But we may need to change up in some areas. But, look, offense, it takes all 11, it does. One guy can kill you and that’s kind of what’s going on right now, it’s really killing us. It puts us in a bad way and it kind of affects everybody around it and then we can’t get out of it.
Exactly What The Offense Needed: Dan Campbell
The results against Washington resonated immediately across Lions Nation. During Monday morning’s Rise & Grind Morning Show breakdown, co-host Erik Rintamaki captured the sentiment perfectly: “It felt like last year again, it felt like they took off the wet blanket that was covering everyone.”
It is no secret by now that this team rides or dies with Dan Campbell. He has earned the respect of his players through and through. The minute he decided it was time to step in and pull the responsibility from John Morton the offense responded by lighting up the scoreboard.
Game Highlights
Season-high 546 total yards
44 points scored
Scored on every drive except the final possession
Offense looked explosive, creative, and in rhythm
The question now: Was the move permanent? Fan reaction has been swift and vocal, with mounting calls on social media for the Lions to officially fire Morton and find a replacement who can maximize the talent on Detroit’s roster—a roster loaded with weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
“When you’re the head coach and you know how you want it to look, it’s one thing to kinda say how you want it to look, but it’s hard to crawl into my head,” Campbell explained. “I just know I have a good feel of our players and I know what we’re capable of, I know what they’re capable of.” ~ Dan Campbell
DOES BRIAN DABOLL FIT IN DETROIT?
THE UPSIDE IS UNDENIABLE
Brian Daboll’s work with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills represents one of the most impressive offensive coordinator resumes in recent NFL history. His ability to develop a raw quarterback into an MVP candidate, design creative and aggressive offensive schemes, and consistently produce top-10 offenses makes him an elite coordinator candidate.
For the Detroit Lions—a team with Super Bowl aspirations, elite offensive weapons, and a quarterback who needs the right system to maximize his efficiency—Daboll represents a high-ceiling hire who could unlock another level of offensive production.
THREE REASONS DABOLL WOULD BE GOOD IN DETROIT
1. PROVEN ELITE QUARTERBACK DEVELOPMENT
Daboll’s work with Josh Allen in Buffalo (2018-2021) represents one of the most impressive quarterback development stories in modern NFL history. He transformed Allen from a 52.8% completion percentage rookie into a 69.2% completion, MVP-candidate quarterback by Year 3.
Josh Allen’s progression under Daboll:
2018: 52.8% completion, 10 TDs, 12 INTs
2020: 69.2% completion, 37 TDs, 10 INTs, 107.2 passer rating, Pro Bowl
For Jared Goff—who’s playing at an All-Pro/Pro Bowl level—Daboll’s expertise in building quarterback-friendly schemes, emphasizing fundamentals, and creating simplified reads with complex pre-snap looks could unlock another level of efficiency and production.
2. BUFFALO BILLS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR SUCCESS
Daboll’s track record as an OC is elite:
Transformed Buffalo’s offense from 23rd in scoring (2017) to 2nd in scoring (2020)
2020 Bills: 2nd in total yards, 2nd in scoring, top-5 in efficiency metrics
Won NFL Assistant Coach of the Year
Consistently produced top-10 offenses in yards, points, and efficiency
For Detroit: The Lions have championship aspirations and elite offensive weapons. Daboll has proven he can call plays at an elite level when that’s his sole focus—exactly what Detroit needs.
3. AGGRESSIVE MENTALITY AND CREATIVE PLAY DESIGN
Daboll’s Buffalo offenses ranked among the league leaders in:
Deep passing attempts and yards per attempt
Pre-snap motion usage to create defensive confusion
Innovative RPO concepts and play-action designs
Red zone efficiency and third-down conversion rates
For Detroit: This aggressive, creative approach aligns perfectly with Campbell’s offensive mentality and would maximize the Lions’ explosive weapons like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta.
THE RISKS ARE REAL
The Giants’ offensive failures cannot be ignored. Daboll’s play-calling became predictable, his quarterback development regressed, and his offenses ranked near the bottom of the league. While roster talent played a role, Daboll must bear responsibility for the decline.
Additionally, the philosophical fit with Dan Campbell requires careful consideration. Would Daboll embrace Campbell’s physical, run-first identity, or would he push for a more pass-heavy approach that conflicts with the head coach’s vision?
FOUR REASONS DABOLL IS NOT FOR DETROIT
1. OFFENSIVE STAGNATION AND PREDICTABILITY
The most damning concern: Daboll’s offense became stale, predictable, and easily decoded by opposing defenses. After initial success in 2022, the Giants’ offense regressed dramatically as defensive coordinators figured out his tendencies and he failed to adapt.
The Red Flag: If Daboll couldn’t maintain offensive creativity and innovation in New York, what makes anyone believe he can do it in Detroit? The Lions need someone who can evolve and stay ahead of defenses—not someone whose schemes become predictable.
2. PATTERN OF QUARTERBACK REGRESSION
While Daboll developed Josh Allen successfully, the pattern since then is troubling:
Josh Allen initially regressed after Daboll left Buffalo (though he’s since recovered)
Daniel Jones fell apart after his 2022 success under Daboll
Rookie QB management was criticized in New York
The Concern: Jared Goff is playing the best football of his career right now. Would Daboll maintain that success, or would Goff regress like Jones did? The risk is real.
3. 4th QUARTER COLLAPSES & GAME MANAGEMENT
Daboll’s Giants repeatedly blew leads and collapsed in crucial moments due to:
Poor clock management
Questionable play-calling in crunch time
Conservative decision-making when aggression was needed
Inability to close out winnable games
The Problem: The Lions are building a championship contender. They need someone who can finish games and make smart decisions in critical moments—not someone with a track record of late-game failures.
4. PHILOSOPHICAL FIT CONCERNS
Would Daboll embrace Campbell’s physical, run-first identity, or would he push for a more pass-heavy approach that conflicts with the head coach’s vision? Additionally, hiring a former head coach as offensive coordinator creates potential ego and power dynamic issues.
CONTEXT MATTERS: NOT ALL DABOLL’S FAULT
To be fair, Daboll hasn’t had a full complement of offensive weapons or stability at the quarterback position since leaving Buffalo. The Giants’ roster was significantly less talented than what he had in Buffalo, with GM Joe Schoen failing to provide adequate weapons at wide receiver and offensive line. Not all of the Giants’ offensive failures fall on Daboll’s shoulders—but enough do to raise legitimate concerns.
THE RECOMMENDATION
If the Lions decide to move on from John Morton, Brian Daboll should be at the top of their candidate list—but with important caveats:
Thorough vetting required: Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell must conduct extensive interviews to understand what went wrong in New York and how Daboll would adapt his approach in Detroit.
Philosophical alignment: Daboll must demonstrate willingness to work within Campbell’s offensive identity while bringing innovation and creativity to the play-calling.
Jared Goff fit: Daboll must articulate a clear vision for maximizing Goff’s strengths (accuracy, play-action, quick processing) rather than trying to force him into a Josh Allen-style system.
Accountability for failures: Daboll must own his mistakes in New York and explain how he would avoid similar pitfalls in Detroit.
The bottom line: Brian Daboll is a high-risk, high-reward candidate. His ceiling as an offensive coordinator is among the highest in the NFL, as evidenced by his Buffalo success. But his recent failures in New York raise legitimate concerns about whether he can recapture that magic.
For a Lions team in their Super Bowl window with an offense that’s already working, hiring Daboll feels like an unnecessary risk.
Detroit doesn’t need a “name” hire. They need someone who can execute Dan Campbell’s vision, maintain Jared Goff’s success, and keep the offense creative and unpredictable. Based on his recent track record, Daboll may not be that guy.
THE DABOLL-CAMPBELL CONNECTION: MORE THAN JUST COLLEAGUES
What many don’t realize is that Brian Daboll and Dan Campbell share a genuine professional relationship and mutual respect that dates back over a decade. The two coaches worked together on the Miami Dolphins staff in 2011, when Daboll served as offensive coordinator and Campbell was the tight ends coach.
Campbell’s Own Words About Daboll:
During the Giants-Lions joint practices in August 2024, Campbell was effusive in his praise of Daboll, calling him “one of the smartest football minds I’ve been around.”
“I appreciate our time together,” Campbell told reporters. “He is one of the smartest football minds I’ve been around. Talk about thinking fast. He tested us as a staff. I learned a ton of football around him. Here’s what I would say, is he’s continued to grow like any great coach has. He evolved. What he was doing in Buffalo was not what we were doing. There were similar concepts, but he evolved with what the roster and that quarterback said he was going to evolve to, what was going to make them best. That’s what he’s done here, and what he will do here. He’s a hell of a coach. He is.“
Campbell also couldn’t resist joking about Daboll’s weight fluctuations over the years, calling him a “chameleon” who can transform his physique at will—a testament to Daboll’s discipline and commitment when he sets his mind to something.
The Giants Connection:
The relationship between these two coaches runs deeper than just their Miami days. Campbell himself has strong ties to the Giants organization, having been drafted by New York in the third round in 1999 and playing tight end for four seasons.
“It’s always good to come back,” Campbell said during the joint practices. “I was drafted a Giant and I was here for four years. Some of my best friendships I had and still have are with those people that I played with here, my wife and I both. And then the Mara family will always be special to me. They’ll always be near and dear to my heart.“
This shared Giants connection—Campbell as a former player, Daboll as the recent head coach—creates an interesting dynamic and mutual understanding of the organization’s culture and expectations.
What This Means for Detroit:
The genuine respect and friendship between Campbell and Daboll could be a significant factor if the Lions pursue Daboll as offensive coordinator. Unlike hiring an unknown commodity, Campbell already knows Daboll’s football IQ, work ethic, and coaching philosophy from their time together in Miami. He’s seen firsthand how Daboll operates, how he thinks, and how he evolves his schemes.
This existing relationship could eliminate many of the typical concerns about cultural fit and philosophical alignment that come with external hires. Campbell knows what he’d be getting—and more importantly, he’s already publicly stated his respect for Daboll’s coaching abilities.
However, the question remains: Would that 2011 relationship translate to success in 2026, or has too much changed since their Miami days together?
Join The Detroit Football Journal Daily Podcasts Below
LATEST STORIES
Deep Dive: Coaching Strategy Breakdown for Matt LaFleur Ahead of Week 1
Matt LaFleur enters the 2025 season with a reputation for precision and poise. While Dan Campbell commands headlines with his aggressive fourth-down calls, LaFleur operates with a quieter intensity—his playbook built on motion, misdirection, and rhythm. Since taking over in Green Bay, he’s led the Packers to multiple playoff appearances and crafted one of the league’s most efficient offenses, even amid roster turnover and quarterback transitions.
The NFC North's Top Ranked Quarterback Is Once Again Jared Goff - It's Not Close
Every season Rocked On Sports Media performs an unbiased review for all positional groups within the NFC North. Grading, analyzing and ranking each positional group from one (1) being the best, and four (4) being the worst.
We will discuss this tomorrow 🧐