With just one week left in January, there are still plenty of job openings around the NFL, including two that Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith is up for – the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers.
So, while it’s not a guarantee that Smith will leave the team in the coming weeks, the Dolphins would be smart to plan for who takes over his current role if he does.
Head coach Mike McDaniel may look outside of the building, but here are a few internal candidates who might get a look:
QB coach/passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell
Bevell joined the Dolphins in his current role in 2022 when McDaniel took over. He’s helped coach up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to have his best seasons since entering the league.
The 54-year-old has been an offensive coordinator four times in his career (Minnesota Vikings from 2006-10, Seattle Seahawks from 2011-17, Detroit Lions 2019-20 and Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021), so his experience would be helpful in the position.
WR coach Wes Welker
Welker joined the Dolphins last offseason as well and has helped Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and company be one of the best groups in the NFL over the last two seasons.
His familiarity with the system, spending two years as San Francisco’s wide receivers coach before arriving in Miami, is certainly a benefit. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he played for the Dolphins from 2004-06 before becoming one of the league’s best slot receivers during his time with the New England Patriots.
It still might be a bit too soon for Welker to take over the offense, but in an offense where he might not have to call plays, it could work.
Assistant HC/TE coach
Like the last two, Embree followed McDaniel to South Florida in 2022. He spent the previous five seasons with the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and alongside McDaniel.
That familiarity and experience would make him an interesting candidate. Despite coaching for 15 seasons in the NFL, he’s never been an offensive coordinator, so this would be a big step, but he’s well-liked and would be a solid fit for the role.
