CLEVELAND — Miami Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel said he's not thinking about keeping his job, even after Sunday's 31-6 loss to the team. Cleveland Browns reduced his team's score to 1-6.
A visibly frustrated McDaniel grabbed both sides of the lectern as he spoke after the game at Huntington Bank Stadium, where the Dolphins continued their worst start since 2021. When asked if he felt renewed anxiety about his status at work, McDaniel again said he believed anxiety would be a disservice to others within the organization.
“The way I look at this job is I think it's very insulting to all parties involved if I'm thinking about getting this job – I need to do my job,” he said. “As long as I coach the Miami Dolphins and this organization, they will get everything from me. And I refuse to waste my time thinking about (my job security)… You have a job, you do your job and you do it to the best of your ability.
“That's what worries me. I think it's insulting to all the coaches, players and organization for me to waste this precious time thinking about myself.”
McDaniel said he could tell the players' frustrations with the season boiled over against the Browns and allowed a difficult situation to snowball.
Miami committed 11 penalties for 103 yards in the loss, a career-high for both teams since McDaniel was hired in 2022. He also turned the ball over four times, including three interceptions from the quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa and fumble return kick Dee Eskridge.
“I think (we) did everything we could to lose the game,” McDaniel said. “I think you've seen a lot of frustrated players this season let that seep into our game and stop us from converting… I think a game like this wasn't in the cards in terms of our preparation, but you absolutely, 100% sure, have to appreciate everything.
“Not one person, not one player or not one coach has cleaned up their hands and we have to get back to work and, starting with me, do better.”
McDaniel hinted at possible personnel changes this week ahead of his eighth week visit to Atlanta.
“A lot of guys have a big week ahead of them,” he said. “I mean, if you regularly have a negative impact on a football team, I have no choice but to evaluate the other player, and I will also have to coach a lot better. So we’re going to find out who and what we’re made of.”
McDaniel said that while there were “multiple factors” in Tagovailoa's three interceptions, two of them were “entirely preventable.” He did not suggest a change at quarterback, although Tagovailoa was replaced by a rookie in the fourth quarter. Quinn Everswho was promoted to backup Zach Wilson This week.
But he said Miami will look at all options moving forward, even if it means changing the style of play.
“We'll look at the tape and change our style of play if we need to, it's all on the table,” McDaniel said. “When you go to a game you fully know you have the opportunity to win and you get a very, very humiliating loss, there are no ifs, ands or buts about it.” Guys have to be professional and guys have to step up to the plate. And every person on our team, if you say, ‘It’s not me,’ it’s you.”
Tagovailoa completed 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions. His 24.1 passer rating was a career low.
He said the Dolphins' offense was subpar on Sunday, noting that the players lined up incorrectly, which slowed down their pre-game process and ultimately the game itself.
Tagovailoa is tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and is on track for a career-high 24 this season. Sunday marked the third game this season in which he made multiple picks, after doing so just twice in 2024.
The sixth-year player, who signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension last offseason, admitted his play hasn't been up to par this season.
“Definitely not happy or proud of where I'm at with my game, the way I've handled things this year,” he said. “I know I need to get a lot better, and I was better with the Miami Dolphins in years past, but these are not years past. It's this year, right? (I'm) just trying to maneuver everything and try to put together a team of guys that I can take with me and I have to be able to multitask, if that makes sense? To be able to do that while continuing to do what we did last year and previous years to get going again.”
Before this season, 154 teams in the Super Bowl era started 1-6; only Cincinnati Bengals reached the playoffs in 1970.
Midfielder Bradley Chubb said Miami's locker room remains united and believes the season can still be turned around.
“It's going to be tough,” he said. “But you have to go into your life with joy to get to where you want to be. We're going to do whatever it takes to get there and look at ourselves in the mirror this coming week. Things have to change quickly – and they will.”
