Coming into the season, it was clear that Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was on the hot seat and needed a strong year to save his job. There were concerns that a disappointing season could lead to major changes within the franchise.
“McDaniel believes he is the right man for the job, and that's not unexpected. His offenses have been known for not being the toughest or most physical units in the league. And there have been suggestions he is too player-friendly and doesn't hold his guys accountable, which can be troublesome for creating a winning culture. McDaniel feels the support of owner Stephen Ross, but anything can happen once the season starts. If the Dolphins have a horrible season, the head coach and GM Chris Grier's jobs could be in jeopardy,” Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson wrote.
The Dolphins’ 27-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday dropped their record to 2-7 — a brutal mark that further worsens McDaniel’s outlook.
“Speaking of murky futures, Mike McDaniel's in Miami is seemingly very unstable. McDaniel entered the game on the hot seat with Miami holding a 2-6 record, and he did nothing to improve his chances of holding onto his job,” USA Today wrote.
Another moment that underscored the team’s current dysfunction came when McDaniel angrily confronted running back Ollie Gordon over a tripping penalty that wasn’t even close to being the correct call.
Ollie Gordon’s coach will apologize to him after he sees the replay
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— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) October 31, 2025
The call was so bad that NFL insider Jordan Schultz weighed in on social media.
“Ollie Gordon has every right to be pi**ed off at that tripping call. What's the point of having replay assist if it can’t correct a terrible call like that,” Schultz posted.
McDaniel’s outburst on Gordon sparked a chain reaction on the sideline, with several players joining in the heated exchange. While the referee’s call was clearly wrong, the Dolphins coach’s decision to lash out at his player first only made matters worse.
This incident is just one of many problems plaguing the Dolphins right now. With the season all but over, it may be time for the organization to seriously consider making changes.