Miami’s season has started poorly. The Dolphins sit 3-7 after a rocky first half. Losses piled up and expectations fell. Ownership responded by parting ways with general manager Chris Grier. The offense has flashed, but inconsistency and injuries have left the team searching for answers as the playoffs drift further away now.
Questions swirled around Mike McDaniel’s leadership. The win over Buffalo offered hope, but inconsistency remained. Pressure mounted on the coach and players to respond. Today the Dolphins play the Washington Commanders in Madrid. Tua Tagovailoa is starting and expected to lead Miami’s offense.
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Ian Rapoport says about Tua Tagovailoa and McDaniels’ connected fate
NFL insider Ian Rapoport says owner Stephen Ross “wants [Mike McDaniel] to continue” as head coach and still backs his long-term vision. Rapoport added that McDaniel’s fate depends on how the players respond on the field and whether the locker room stays behind him.
Rapoport tied McDaniel’s future directly to Tua’s.
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“My understanding of where it goes from here for Mike McDaniel is that owner Stephen Ross wants him to continue to be the head coach,” Rapoport said. “If McDaniel survives into 2026, Tua is overwhelmingly likely to remain the franchise’s starting quarterback.”
He also noted that Miami “does have $54 million fully guaranteed to Tua,” which complicates any decision to move on from the QB.
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McDaniel’s job and Tua’s status move together. If the coach stays, ownership is more likely to keep the quarterback. If Miami opts for a reset at head coach, the team may explore other quarterback options despite the money owed.
Rapoport called McDaniel Tua’s “it is fair to say these two futures are tied together. There is no bigger champion in the Dolphins building for Tua than his head coach.” That relationship may decide Miami’s direction this offseason.
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