The Miami Dolphins fired coach Mike McDaniel, ending an up-and-down four-year partnership. The Dolphins introduced the transfer on Thursday, with proprietor Stephen Ross issuing an announcement thanking McDaniel for his efforts however saying the workforce is in want of “complete change.”
“After cautious analysis and in depth discussions for the reason that season ended, I’ve made the choice that our group is in want of complete change. I knowledgeable Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach,” Ross stated. “I really like Mike and wish to thank him for his onerous work, dedication, and the vitality he dropped at our group. Mike is an extremely artistic soccer thoughts whose ardour for the sport and his gamers was evident on daily basis. I want him and his household the perfect transferring ahead.”
McDaniel turns into the eight NFL coach fired this offseason, that means 25 p.c of the league’s groups have a training emptiness. Many will rapidly join the Dolphins to John Harbaugh, who was not too long ago fired by the Baltimore Ravens. The timing of McDaniel’s firing, days after Harbaugh was let go, will lead many to suspect Harbaugh will probably be their high goal. CBS Sports activities’ Jonathan Jones confirmed that whereas Miami has not had contact with Harbaugh but, he will probably be a candidate for the job.
McDaniel, 42, arrived in Miami after a five-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, first as their run recreation coordinator after which as their offensive coordinator. He was tasked with turning round Tua Tagovailoa’s profession after a bumpy first two seasons, and he succeeded nearly instantly: Tagovailoa led the NFL in landing share and yards per try in 2022, his first season in McDaniel’s artistic, quick-hitting, motion-heavy assault. One 12 months after ending twenty fifth in complete offense, Miami completed sixth within the class and made the playoffs. Tagovailoa, although, missed the top of the season with a concussion.
In 2023, the assault reached even larger highs — first in yards, second in factors — as Tagovailoa performed his solely full season and Tyreek Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards. Miami gained 11 video games however misplaced once more within the Wild Card spherical, this time in a bitterly chilly recreation in Kansas Metropolis.
Tagovailoa suffered one other concussion and appeared in simply 11 video games in 2024, when Miami slumped to 8-9.
Then issues lastly ruptured in 2025. The Dolphins began 2-7 (and Hill suffered a grotesque damage) earlier than rallying to get to 6-7 behind a rejuvenated speeding assault. Tagovailoa struggled mightily, nonetheless, in a “Monday Evening Soccer” loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. McDaniel introduced the workforce would transfer ahead with seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers as its quarterback with the workforce out of playoff competition.
As Miami strikes ahead — it would even be on the lookout for a brand new common supervisor after firing Chris Grier in late October — it would look to discover a coach/GM mixture in lockstep relating to the quarterback place. Tagovailoa is immensely costly to the purpose the place transferring him could also be tough. Ewers, for essentially the most half, appeared like a late-round rookie, flashing right here or there but additionally struggling considerably in some moments.
Miami does have a star in operating again De’Von Achane, and benefiting from his velocity and distinctive abilities will probably be an vital process. Jaylen Waddle additionally had a powerful 2025, so although Miami will doubtless transfer on from the injured Hill, there’s a confirmed vast receiver in place. Bulking up on the offensive line and bettering the defensive secondary can even be priorities.
Miami has the eleventh total decide within the 2026 NFL Draft, in addition to its personal second spherical decide and three third-round picks.
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