Mike McDaniel Dolphins coach eyes changes after 1-6 start

Mike McDaniel Dolphins coach refuses to panic after a 1-6 start, focusing on accountability, player changes, and fixing Miami’s struggling season. Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel says he’s not thinking about his job status — even as the team’s season continues to spiral after a crushing 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Speaking emotionally at Huntington Bank Stadium, McDaniel admitted frustration but said that worrying about his future would disrespect the players and staff who rely on him.

It’s offensive to everyone involved if I’m thinking about keeping my job instead of doing my job,” McDaniel said. “For as long as I coach the Miami Dolphins, they’ll get everything I have. Thinking about job security doesn’t help anyone — you do your job, and you do it the best you can.”

Dolphins Suffer Worst Start Since 2021

The defeat dropped Miami to 1-6, marking their worst start since the 2021 season. The game was marred by 11 penalties for 103 yards and four turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a costly fumble by Dee Eskridge.

McDaniel admitted his players let frustration from the season boil over, saying,

We did everything possible to lose this game. You could see it — frustration took over. It seeped into our execution and cost us.”

He emphasized accountability from everyone in the organization:

No one has their hands clean — not me, not the coaches, not the players. We have to go back, evaluate everything, and be better.”

Personnel Changes Could Be Coming

McDaniel hinted that changes could be made before Miami’s Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

If a player is consistently hurting the team, I don’t have a choice but to look at other options,” McDaniel said. “We’ll find out what we’re made of this week.”

While he didn’t specify which positions could change, the coach said “everything is on the table,” including possible tweaks to the team’s offensive style of play.

Tua Tagovailoa Takes Responsibility for Poor Performance

Tagovailoa endured a brutal outing, finishing 12 of 23 for 100 yards with three interceptions and a career-low 24.1 passer rating. Despite the struggles, McDaniel said he isn’t planning a quarterback change — though rookie Quinn Ewers did replace Tua late in the fourth quarter.

The sixth-year QB, who signed a four-year, $212 million extension in 2024, admitted his play has been below expectations.

I’m not proud of how I’ve played this year,” Tagovailoa said. “I’ve been better before, and I know I have to lead better. This isn’t about last year — it’s about now.”

Tagovailoa now shares the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and is on pace for a career-high 24 by season’s end.

Locker Room Still Believes in a Turnaround

Despite the brutal start, linebacker Bradley Chubb says the locker room remains united and committed to turning things around.

It’s going to be hard,” Chubb admitted. “But we have to embrace the hard. We’ll look ourselves in the mirror, make the changes, and move forward. Things must change — and they will.”

Historically, only one team — the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals — has ever made the playoffs after starting 1-6, but the Dolphins say they’re not giving up yet.

McDaniel remains firm:

“We’ll keep fighting. Every person here has to own their role. If you’re saying ‘it’s not me,’ then it probably is.”

Mike McDaniel.