Dolphins Head Coach ‘Fired’ Talk Is Dismissed by Multiple Sources

Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s coaching seat is scorching hot following an embarrassing blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but Dolphins ownership is expected to stick with McDaniel among the turmoil of their 1-6 start, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross still trusts in McDaniel to lead the team, according to Rapoport.

Ross has given two conditions for McDaniel’s continued employment: he doesn’t lose the locker room, and no slippage in fan attendance, according to reporting by the Miami Herald.

Rumors of McDaniel’s job being in jeopardy swirled as the Dolphins hit a new season low Sunday after being manhandled by the Browns. Cleveland also only had one win coming into the game and were starting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

“Guys have been frustrated with the season,” McDaniel said in his postgame press conference. “They believe in each other a lot more than our record indicates.”

McDaniel Focusing on Coaching

McDaniel addressed the rumors around his job security, but assured reporters that he was focused on the team. 

“I find it offensive to all parties involved if I’m thinking about having the job,” McDaniel said in the press conference. He reiterated that he didn’t want thoughts of job security distracting him from coaching to the best of his ability.

The other main focus of his conference was accountability. He pointed to playing as a team and not focusing on individual efforts.

“We’re professionals who need to do our jobs better,” McDaniel said.

Highlighting Mistakes

The Dolphins didn’t let Gabriel beat them, but Cleveland’s defense and running game both pitched hat-tricks. The Browns’ defense intercepted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa three times, one being a pick-six, and rookie runningback Quinshon Judkins found the endzone thrice on the day.

“You can’t even get on to beating the opponent if you beat yourself,” said McDaniel, who highlighted the litany of turnovers and penalties committed by Miami.

The Quarterback Situation

After his third pick, Tagovailoa was benched for 7th-round rookie Quinn Ewers. Miami’s quarterbacks finished the game with an abysmal combined quarterback rating of 28.8, according to ESPN.

McDaniel did not confirm that he would stick with Tagovailoa as the starter going forward. 

“Everything is on the table,” said McDaniel when asked about the quarterback situation. He said that they would try to get backups Ewers and Zach Wilson practice reps with the starters this week and he would have conversations with his quarterback room.