Darren Waller didn’t hold back during his recent appearance on Glory Daze, Johnny Manziel’s podcast, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Mike McDaniel’s final moments as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Waller, who returned to the field in 2025 after a brief retirement, shared a moment that feels straight out of a movie - but by all accounts, it was very real.
According to Waller, the scene unfolded during cleanout week, as players and coaches wrapped up the season and looked ahead to the future. Waller was in a meeting with McDaniel, discussing his own role moving forward, when Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made a dramatic entrance.
“Stephen Ross kicked the door in,” Waller said. “He comes in and joins the conversation.
… And then (it) kind of hits a lull. I’m sitting across the desk from Mike, and Stephen Ross is standing there just kind of looking at me, like, ‘It’s time for you to get the hell out.’
I look at Mike, he was like, ‘We’ll finish the conversation later.’”
Moments later, while Waller was downstairs, he got the message: McDaniel had been fired. Just like that.
“I’m like, damn. Like this (stuff) cold for real,” Waller said.
It was a jarring end to McDaniel’s tenure - one that clearly left an impression on Waller, who still holds his former coach in high regard. Asked if he’d be open to reuniting with McDaniel down the line, Waller didn’t hesitate.
“He’s brilliant, man. … He’s too (darn) smart,” Waller said, praising McDaniel’s football mind.
But that wasn’t the only headline from Waller’s podcast appearance. He also opened up about Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles in 2025 - a season in which the Dolphins quarterback posted career-worst numbers, including 15 interceptions, 30 sacks, and a total loss of 195 yards on those sacks.
Waller, who spent time with the team and saw Tua up close in practice, pointed to a disconnect between what he sees during the week and what shows up on Sundays.
“What I think some of the disconnect comes from is… there might be some trauma still stored in his body from what he’s gone through,” Waller said. “I can notice him trying to make things happen in the game, like he’s trying to pull the trigger, but it’s almost like his body and system won’t.”
It’s a revealing comment - not just about Tua’s performance, but about the mental and physical toll the game can take on a player, especially one who’s battled through injuries and the weight of expectations.
Still, Waller isn’t writing him off. In fact, he believes the former Alabama standout still has the tools - if he can find a way to reset.
“If there’s a way to find some healing in that regard, I think the skillset is definitely still there,” Waller said.
Waller’s own comeback in 2025 was a reminder that redemption stories are always possible in the NFL. In nine games - three of them starts - he hauled in 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns. Not bad for a guy coming off a year away from football.
Whether or not Waller and McDaniel link up again remains to be seen. Same goes for Tua’s future in Miami. But one thing’s clear: Waller’s perspective, shaped by time, experience, and a front-row seat to the inner workings of an NFL locker room, adds a valuable layer to the conversation.