Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel discusses future, GM search, QB puzzle

5 days ago 2

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters for his wrap-up news conference for the 2025 season, one day after a 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots that left the Dolphins 7-10.

The discussion centered around McDaniel's plans moving forward as well as his performance over his four years with the Dolphins. Miami was 9-8 and 11-6 in his first two seasons, earning a wild-card berth each time, but have gone 8-9 and 7-10 since.

Highlights:

Asked about the NFL Network report that the Dolphins are expected to retain McDaniel, he said, "My understanding is I'm the coach of the Miami Dolphins until I'm told otherwise."

McDaniel said "we are not happy" with the results and he plans to spend massive time improving them.

"I spoke with Mr. Ross and realistically we're getting together later during the week."

Will Anthony Weaver leave for Atlanta?

On the Atlanta Falcons reportedly asking permission to interview defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver for their head-coaching job: "I think it's an awesome opportunity. I think he interviewed there a couple of years previous."

And asked about others on his coaching staff, McDaniel added,

"Listen, you don't go through a season like we just had and fall short of expectations, you know flat out I'll just say it: The season was a failure and you don't do anything knee -jerk, and you don't leave anything to chance assumption. I think the organization is depending on me to take a hard look at everything because you don't leave anything on the table when the results aren't right. So to sit here and say anything about anybody's job (is up in the air), I need to take a hard and consistent look at what's not good enough because our record 7 -10 is not good enough. Watching the entirety of the playoffs is not good enough."

How is search for general manager going?

McDaniel says he'll be involved in the process of finding a general manager, up to a point.

"It's not my decision to make, nor do I think that would be an intelligent way to go about it."

Half of the six executives said to be under consideration worked with McDaniel in San Francisco.

On Champ Kelly: "I think it's a very tall task to be an interim in anything. I think the job Champ did was phenomenal. His communication with me was phenomenal."

Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

What happens at QB with Tua Tagovailoa?

On the quarterback situation:

"In 2026, I think there will be competition for our starting quarterback. What that is and how it looks, that remains to be seen. It's the most important position on the football field."

On Tua Tagovailoa:

"I'll meet with Tua at 8 a.m. (Tuesday). First things first, I don't think anybody understands what it would be like to be through the wringer like he has."

"He'll have to work to get back to the results that we're used to seeing."

Is the 2026 quarterback is on the roster?

"I would not close the door on that."

"Quinn (Ewers) did a great job in his three games as a rookie."

McDaniel said a QB's job is to give his team a chance to win each game. "I think Quinn gave us a chance."

What other changes might be in store for the offense?

How the offense will look in 2026 if Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill aren't on the team:

"The best offenses are tailored to their players and the skill sets of their players." McDaniel says the 2025 team adjusted to the talent on the roster (going to more of a run-based attack with De'Von Achane).

Will Dolphins go back to being a speed team or lean toward being more physical?

"I don't think we're done building the line of scrimmages, as we have done last offseason."

McDaniel judges McDaniel

On his first four years as Dolphins coach:

"I was hired to not just be the head coach. I was hired to return a storied franchise to winning playoff games and winning Super Bowls. We haven't done that."

"I know one thing: Every day that I'm employed by the Miami Dolphins as head coach, every day I'm focused on doing what I was hired to do."