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With the Dolphins preparing for their Week 18 showdown against the New England Patriots, attention is already turning to head coach Mike McDaniel's future.
After a season of highs and lows, questions about quarterback play, roster depth, and organizational direction are intensifying, making the team's final game a critical moment not just for the season, but for McDaniel's standing in Miami.
Miami's year unraveled steadily, culminating in a late quarterback change that saw Quinn Ewers start the final three games after Tua Tagovailoa was benched.
McDaniel enters the finale with a 35-32 regular-season record in his fourth year. After guiding the Dolphins to playoff appearances in his first two seasons, Miami is now headed for a second straight losing year, a sharp contrast from expectations set earlier in his tenure.
McDaniel, entering his fourth year at the helm after being hired in 2022, has delivered mixed results.
Early in his tenure the Dolphins reached the playoffs in backtoback seasons, a rare feat for the franchise, but recent struggles this year have dampened confidence.
Sources confirm that despite the disappointing campaign, Miami plans to retain McDaniel for the remainder of the season, a decision that throws the spotlight on what comes next in 2026 and beyond.
Despite that downturn, there has been no formal move from ownership.
Contract security and front office turnover complicate the picture
McDaniel's contract plays a central role in the calculus. Originally hired on a four-year deal, he was given a three-year extension before the 2024 season after leading Miami to back-to-back playoff berths.
His deal now runs through the 2028 season, making a coaching change financially painful and strategically complex.
At the same time, the Dolphins are already undergoing a significant front office overhaul. The team dismissed general manager Chris Grier and has begun searching for a replacement.
NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman has been brought in to assist with the process, underscoring how hands-on Stephen Ross intends to be as Miami reshapes its leadership structure.
That combination places McDaniel in an unusual spot. While results have slipped, the organization is already navigating instability elsewhere, which may push ownership toward continuity at head coach rather than a full reset.
NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe provided clarity on the situation just before Sunday's kickoff.
"As far as Mike McDaniel, nothing official yet or certain," Wolfe said.
Wolfe noted that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross "believes in McDaniel" and that "he's looking for more reasons to keep him than to get rid of him. Also worth noting, McDaniel is expected to have his end-of-season press conference tomorrow afternoon."