NFL Exec Says Tua Benching, Mike McDaniel Firing 'Should Have' Been Done Already

Despite their immense struggles this year, the Miami Dolphins have not made the changes that many had expected earlier in the season.

While general manager Chris Grier was surprisingly fired by the Dolphins after being with the franchise since 2000, head coach Mike McDaniel has eluded that fate, while quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has maintained his role as the starter.

The Athletic's Mike Sando spoke to a coach who is "familiar with the Dolphins' thinking," and they said that team owner Stephen Ross has given McDaniel a ton of leeway because he still wants to make it work with them rather than instituting the franchise reset that some feel is needed in Miami.

"That's why the head coach is gonna have a long runway to make it stick, and they're trying to make it stick with Tua, because that's in their best interest," the coach said. "But if the coach and quarterback can't make it work next year, then yeah, the owner comes in, flips everyone out, and starts fresh at quarterback, GM and head coach, which is what he should have done, but has never done."

The Dolphins improved to 3-7 after Sunday's stunning 30-13 upset win over the Buffalo Bills.

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Sando noted that the coach said Ross "has long admired McDaniel's offensive scheming and thinks the coach can still provide a competitive advantage in that realm." Ross also reportedly feels that McDaniel is "the only coach to get high-level production from Tagovailoa."

It sounds like McDaniel and Tagovailoa will get another shot to prove their worth in 2026 before Ross makes any more major changes.

The Dolphins will try to keep the momentum going when they face the Washington Commanders (3-7) in Madrid, Spain, in Week 11.