Mike McDaniel’s Future in Miami: Stability or Just Another Stopgap?
The Mike McDaniel conversation is heating up again in South Florida, and this time, there’s a bit more smoke behind the fire. According to a new report, several coaching and front office candidates around the league are operating under the belief that McDaniel will be back on the Dolphins’ sideline in 2026. That might come as a surprise to some, given the way Miami’s season ended and the uncertainty swirling around the quarterback position and front office.
But let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture here-because McDaniel’s situation isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about ownership, direction, and the long-term stability of a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels for years.
The Ross Factor: A History of Hesitation
Stephen Ross, the Dolphins' owner, has never been known for decisiveness when it comes to football leadership. We've seen it time and time again-coaches and executives brought in with fanfare, only to be moved on from when things don’t pan out quickly enough. Mike Tannenbaum, Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland-each had their shot, and each left without delivering postseason success.
Now, with Chris Grier out after nearly a decade as general manager and zero playoff wins to show for it, Ross is once again at a crossroads. And once again, he seems to be leaning toward continuity over change. That includes keeping McDaniel, even as the team faces a tough offseason ahead.
The Quarterback Question
One of the biggest variables in McDaniel’s future? The quarterback position.
Tua Tagovailoa’s future with the team appears murky at best. If he’s not back next season, McDaniel could be coaching without a proven starter under center.
That’s a massive challenge for any head coach, let alone one trying to prove he’s the long-term answer.
And let’s not forget the schedule. Miami is staring down one of the toughest road slates in the league next year, and the home matchups aren’t exactly a walk in the park either. Combine that with a roster that may be reshuffled due to salary cap constraints, and it’s easy to see why some around the league view McDaniel as a coach facing yet another uphill climb.
The Salary Cap Squeeze
Speaking of the cap-Miami is expected to be in a tight spot when the new league year begins in March. That puts added pressure on whoever steps in as the next general manager.
With limited flexibility in free agency, the Dolphins will likely lean heavily on the draft to fill roster holes. That’s a tough ask for a team that wants to compete now, not two or three years down the line.
And for McDaniel, that could mean entering another season with a roster that isn’t quite ready to match up with the AFC’s elite. It’s a familiar story in Miami: high expectations, a few key injuries or setbacks, and suddenly the season is slipping away.
Another Midseason Shakeup?
If history is any guide, McDaniel’s job security could be more fragile than it seems. We’ve seen this before-support from ownership in the offseason, only to be followed by a midseason firing when things go south. Ross has a track record of making coaching changes on the fly, even after publicly backing his head coach.
And while league insiders say the Dolphins “love Mike” and believe he’s been dealt a tough hand, that kind of sentiment can only carry so far. At some point, results have to follow. If they don’t, the goodwill may not be enough to save him.
The Bottom Line
Right now, the signs point to Mike McDaniel returning in 2026. But that doesn’t mean he’s on solid ground. With questions at quarterback, a challenging schedule, cap issues, and a new GM coming aboard, McDaniel could be walking into one of the most difficult coaching situations in the league next season.
Whether he’s the long-term answer in Miami remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the margin for error is shrinking-and fast.