Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins: Time for Change?
The Miami Dolphins have started the NFL 2025 season 0-3, which has head coach Mike McDaniel on a scorching hot seat. McDaniel’s once goofy charm is now causing Dolphins fans to cringe and call for his firing.
Can the Dolphins bounce back and allow McDaniel to keep his job, or is it better for both sides to go their own direction? Let’s break down whether McDaniel should be on the way out in Miami.
The Falloff of McDaniel’s Once Explosive Offense
When McDaniel took over the Dolphins in 2022, he improved the Miami offense from 20.1 points per game to 23.4 points per game. The offense jumped even more in 2023, scoring 29.2 points per game. That was good for second in the NFL during the 2023 season.
Unfortunately, the offense took a major step back in 2024. The Dolphins fell back to 20.3 points per game, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. Fast forward to 2025, and the Dolphins are averaging a mere 18.7 points per game through three games. That would place the Dolphins towards the bottom eight offenses in the NFL at a season-long pace.
Dolphin’s Offense: Potential Problems
So, what has gone wrong with the Dolphins’ offense? First, defenses have begun adjusting to the once explosive Miami offense. The most notable adjustment is teams playing two-high safeties consistently. By playing two high safeties, opposing defenses can limit big plays. The lack of big plays was noticeable last season, as the Dolphins ranked last in the NFL in plays of over 25 years. A significant flip of the script from the previous two seasons, where the Dolphins ranked fourth in explosive plays.
The Quarterback Dilemma
Miami has to nickel and dime down the field without the explosive plays. Unfortunately, their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, has consistently struggled to take the easy throws in the Dolphins’ offense. Tagovailoa has already thrown five interceptions through his first three games this season. Should we blame the quarterback or the coach? Dolphins fans seem to be blaming both, with fire McDaniel and bench Tua flooding social media sites.
Should McDaniel Keep His Job?
McDaniel honestly has no business continuing to be the head coach of the Dolphins. McDaniel has led the Dolphins to a 28-28 record through three-plus seasons, counting the two playoff losses in 2022 and 2023. With the talent on both sides of the ball over the years, there is no reason McDaniel shouldn’t have had more success.
The Dolphins are now in a bad spot, as they will be looking for a new head coach while paying Tagovailoa through the 2028 season. Both McDaniel and Tagovailoa could benefit from a breakup and a change of scenery.
BullRush Sports: Predict the Dolphins’ Future
Do you think McDaniel will survive the season? Or will the Dolphins hit reset with a new coach? Put your fantasy football bold predictions to the test in BullRush sports picking competitions.
Challenge other NFL fans, make your calls on game outcomes, and climb the leaderboard with every correct pick. Whether you believe in a Miami turnaround or a complete rebuild, BullRush makes every snap count.
Mike McDaniel FAQs
Q: How has the Dolphins’ offense changed under McDaniel?
Miami went from one of the NFL’s most explosive units in 2022–23 to one of the least effective in 2024–25.
Q: Is Tua Tagovailoa to blame for the Dolphins’ struggles?
Tagovailoa has thrown five interceptions in three games, but both his play and McDaniel’s scheme are under fire.
Q: What is Mike McDaniel’s coaching record with Miami?
McDaniel has a 28-28 overall record, including two playoff losses in 2022 and 2023.
Q: How can fans test their NFL predictions?
Fans can join BullRush Sports Picking Competitions to predict outcomes, compete with others, and win bragging rights.
