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- NFL. The Dolphins make it clear to Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill that they are no longer counting on them
Mike McDaniel sat at the podium, a hint of humility in his tone, reflecting on his time with Miami as, days after leaving the Dolphins, he acknowledged the importance of having a quarterback who can elevate the offense - a potentially subtle jab toward Tua Tagovailoa.
Earlier in the week, McDaniel was formally introduced as the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator as he returned to a role he previously excelled in with the San Francisco 49ers, emphasizing that quarterback play is central to a coach's overall effectiveness and a team's success.
And while he didn't outright blame Tagovailoa for Miami's offensive struggles, his words left little doubt about the link between quarterback performance and his departure, while also admitting multiple factors influenced the offense's results over the last two seasons.
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"We dealt with some injury issues with Tua the year previous," McDaniel said. "And I think that [it emphasized] how important the QB is to your overall effectiveness as a coach and as a team."
McDaniel at the Dolphins
* McDaniel's Dolphins HC record: 15-19
* Points for (2024-25): 692
* Points against (2024-25): 788
* Tagovailoa yards: 5,127
* Tagovailoa touchdowns: 39
* Completion percentage: 70.3%
* Interceptions: 22
* Times sacked: 51
The former Dolphins head coach also stressed that as a play caller, his focus was primarily on orchestrating the offense, which at times narrowed his responsibilities. He suggested broader team factors sometimes limited the ability to maximize overall effectiveness.
McDaniel said his role was to grow the offense around key players, yet the 2025 NFL season exposed cracks in cohesion and quarterback reliability. He benched Tagovailoa late in the season and started rookie Quinn Ewers for the final three games as the offense struggled to produce.
Despite the challenges, he credited his experience in Miami with teaching lessons he intends to apply in Los Angeles, highlighting that both a strong system and an adaptable quarterback are critical for offensive success and longevity in the league.
McDaniel's skill set appears better suited to an offensive coordinator role, as managing full head-coaching responsibilities proved taxing in Miami, particularly when paired with inconsistent quarterback play. Questions remain about whether he will return to a head coaching position in the future.
While he passed on interviews with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns, a successful 2026 campaign with the Chargers could quickly renew interest, especially if he showcases effective play-calling without overburdening the quarterback.
McDaniel makes Chargers-Justin Herbert demand
At his first Chargers press conference, McDaniel centered his comments on quarterback Justin Herbert, praising his talent while emphasizing the need to reduce dependence on individual brilliance and build a system that allows the offense to thrive collectively.
He stressed that defenses create space before the snap, and using it efficiently will protect the quarterback while maintaining offensive rhythm. McDaniel believes Herbert has yet to reach his full potential, and the new system is designed to elevate him further.
"I think not relying too heavily on Justin's ability to do above and beyond is critical," McDaniel said, adding that freeing Herbert to maximize opportunities without carrying the offense alone will be a central goal for the 2026 season.
The Chargers finished 11-6 in 2025, placing second in the AFC West behind Kansas City and reaching the AFC Wild Card round.
They were defeated 16-3 by the New England Patriots, who will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX on February 8.