The Miami Dolphins were riding high on a four-game winning streak, looking like a team hitting its stride at just the right time. But then came Monday night in Pittsburgh - and everything changed.
A crushing loss to the Steelers not only ended that momentum, it officially knocked Miami out of playoff contention. And with that, the offseason questions came flooding in.
The fallout was immediate and dramatic. Tua Tagovailoa, the former first-round pick and face of the franchise, was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.
It was a move that signaled more than just a shift in game plan - it pointed to a possible changing of the guard. And now, with the season effectively over, the Dolphins are staring down two of the most consequential decisions they’ve faced in years: what to do with head coach Mike McDaniel and what the future holds for Tagovailoa.
According to league insiders, the organization is weighing multiple options, and nothing is set in stone just yet. The Dolphins are at a crossroads, and the choices they make in the coming weeks could reshape the franchise for years to come.
Let’s start with McDaniel. On paper, his résumé isn’t bad: a 34-31 record over four seasons and two playoff appearances.
That’s more than a lot of coaches can claim. He’s also under contract through 2028, thanks to an extension from owner Stephen Ross just last year.
Ross has long been a believer in McDaniel’s vision, and it’s clear the coach still has supporters inside the building. But the NFL is a results-driven league, and missing the playoffs - especially in a season that once held so much promise - raises fair questions.
Still, that late-season four-game win streak can’t be overlooked. It might’ve been just enough to give McDaniel another shot in 2026. The team was playing inspired football during that stretch, and while it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure a postseason berth, it did show signs that McDaniel still has the locker room’s attention.
Then there’s the Tua situation - and this one’s even more complicated. After being benched for Ewers, it’s clear that Tagovailoa is no longer viewed as the long-term answer in Miami. Whether the Dolphins decide to trade him, release him, or simply let him ride the bench, it’s hard to see a scenario where he’s part of the team’s future plans.
This isn’t just about one player or one coach. The Dolphins are staring at a potential organizational reset.
There are rumblings about deeper roster moves and even a change at general manager. If Miami decides to pivot toward a rebuild, everything could be on the table - from veteran trades to a full retooling of the front office.
But before any of that happens, the first domino has to fall: McDaniel. His future likely dictates the direction of everything else.
If Ross decides to stick with him, that suggests a more measured approach - perhaps a retool, not a rebuild. If he moves on, then all bets are off.
One thing’s for sure: this is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent Dolphins history. The decisions around McDaniel and Tagovailoa are front and center, and how Miami handles them will say a lot about where this franchise is headed.