What you need to know from Mike McDaniel's Dolphins news conference

5 days ago 2

MIAMI GARDENS — There was no formal announcement from the Miami Dolphins but my goodness every single indication from a Mike McDaniel season wrap-up conference is that he's returning.

There was no formal announcement but time after time Mike spoke about what needs to happen in 2026 as if it would be absolutely stunning to Mike if he was not back in 2026.

There was no general manager in attendance because there is no general manager at this time. But interviews will soon start and three of the six known candidates are from the 49ers, where McDaniel last worked.

There's a lot to sort through and it's not always abundantly clear, but here are some thoughts:

Mike McDaniel said he's going to be part of the GM hiring process. To what extent? My goodness. If Mike is involved, surely he's returning, right? I mean, unless and until told otherwise, yeah. Mike spoke about what is important in the coach-GM relationship. Trust of course. Same page of course. Mike says it's not his decision, of course, but he's happy to lend support.
Mike McDaniel does not envision a tear-down. Who knows what the next Dolphins GM will want to do. We know the Dolphins are facing a massive salary cap hole next year, with the likely dead caps of Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Will there be big free agent spending in 2026? No. Extremely unlikely. But McDaniel hinted he thinks the team should build around players like De'Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle, as opposed to trading them. We'll see.
Mike McDaniel accepted responsibility for failures. McDaniel said the season was a failure. McDaniel said the organization is counting on him to find out why. McDaniel said he feels he found a work-week cadence at the end of the season that resulted in better results. (The Dolphins finished 5-3). "The bottom line is our product needs to be better." McDaniel has never shied away from an openness to change.
Mike McDaniel realizes trench building not complete. The Dolphins have heavily invested in offensive and defensive linemen in recent years and yet McDaniel says the work must continue. McDaniel wants to run more and be more physical on both sides of the ball. It seems McDaniel will pledge a commitment to these areas in 2026.
Mike McDaniel wants quarterback competition. Mike pledged there will be quarterback competition next season and that will probably - quite possibly? - include Quinn Ewers. McDaniel said Ewers did some really good things but must continue to develop and improve.
Mike McDaniel will meet with Stephen Ross later in the week. McDaniel and Ross have spoken since the season ended but they're going to meet later in the week to establish a plan of attack for next season. Could Ross pivot after discussions with general manager candidates and decide he needs to make a change? We suppose the whims of a billionaire are the potential whims of a billionaire. But my goodness, again, every indication now is the Dolphins want to give McDaniel a fifth season. It sure sounds like Ross wants to see what he can do with a new GM and QB.