The Miami Dolphins appear to be running out of patience – and options. Following a 1-6 start to the season, the franchise is reportedly beginning to explore potential replacements for head coach Mike McDaniel amid growing friction with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and an offense in free fall.
What began as a promising partnership between McDaniel and Tagovailoa has unraveled into finger-pointing and frustration. The two clashed over a game-losing interception in Week 3 against Buffalo, and Tagovailoa later vented about teammates skipping player-led meetings.
The tension escalated when McDaniel benched his quarterback in the fourth quarter of last week’s blowout loss to Cleveland – a decision that only intensified outside scrutiny.
The Dolphins need to hit the reset button
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, while the locker room hasn’t turned on McDaniel, the relationship between coach and quarterback is now strained enough to threaten the team’s future.
“Miami needs a fresh start,” one NFL GM told The Athletic.
“They never really developed and drafted well enough. They put Band-Aids on the roster. Mike’s not a bad coach – it’s just an aimless program.”
The numbers tell the same story. Miami has dropped 18 of its last 29 games since December 2023, including a lopsided wild-card loss to Kansas City.
The offense, once one of the league’s most dynamic, has sputtered to just 279 yards per game. Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 10 interceptions, holds a career-low QBR of 42.8, and has seen his sack rate rise sharply.
McDaniel needs to start winning now
Both McDaniel and Tagovailoa insist their trust remains intact. “We had great meetings this week,” McDaniel said. “There’s zero uncertainty with Tua in my conviction of him and my belief in him.” Tagovailoa echoed that sentiment, admitting their talks have been “frank and necessary.”
But unless the Dolphins start winning – beginning with their Week 8 matchup against the Falcons – those reassurances may not be enough to save McDaniel’s job. For now, Miami’s playoff hopes sit below one percent, and the front office is already said to be weighing a possible reboot that could extend beyond just the coaching staff.
Read the full article here
