Mike McDaniel's Future as Dolphins HC Updated by Insider Amid 'Conflicting' NFL Rumors

Despite the Miami Dolphins winning five of their past seven games, head coach Mike McDaniel's job reportedly may not be safe.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, there has been "conflicting" information put out by NFL sources regarding McDaniel's future in Miami and the likelihood of him retaining his spot.

Graziano noted that while it initially sounded like McDaniel was a "good bet" to stay with the Dolphins, "the winds seem to have shifted a bit on that."

At 7-9, the Dolphins are set to finish with a losing record and miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Hailed as an offensive guru, McDaniel instantly made a positive impact in Miami upon being hired as head coach in 2022, as he led the Dolphins to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons at the helm.

However, the Dolphins had to settle for wild-card berths each time, and they were one and done in the playoffs on both occasions.

Perhaps most concerning is the steady decline of the offense over the past couple of seasons under McDaniel.

Miami ranked sixth in total offense and 11th in scoring offense in 2022 before improving to first in total offense and second in scoring offense in 2023. However, the Dolphins dipped to 18th in yards and 22nd in points last season, and they are 25th in yards and 22nd in scoring with one game to play this season.

McDaniel's offense has undoubtedly been hurt by the fact that star wide receiver Tyreek Hill only played four games this season, plus quarterback Tua Tagovailoa continued to decline compared to his 2023 season when he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards, threw 29 touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl.

In 14 starts this season, Tua went 6-8 and completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and a career-high 15 picks.

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McDaniel made the decision to bench Tagovailoa in favor of rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers, who is 1-1 in his two starts.

The Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier this season, which perhaps leaves the door open for a full overhaul involving the head coach and quarterback as well.

It is fair to wonder if the coach and quarterback decisions may be connected, as it would arguably make more sense to keep McDaniel around if the Dolphins also intend to keep Tagovailoa.

Conversely, if the Dolphins want to explore other quarterback options via the draft, free agency or trade, pairing that quarterback up with a new coach could make sense.