The Miami Dolphins were expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC in 2024. That narrative took a big turn when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the final concussion of his career.

After the win in Week 1, Tagovailoa was eliminated for several weeks in Week 2. Miami lost three straight games before earning a 15-10 win over the New England Patriots in Week 5. After a Week 6 bye, however, the Dolphins have lost three in a row to the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills – the past two coming with Tagovailoa back under center.

Miami is now 2-6 heading into a Week 10 “Monday Night Football” matchup against the surging Los Angeles Rams, only a slightly better record than the 2-7 New Orleans Saints had when they fired Dennis Allen before Week 10 . continues to struggle, will the front office fire McDaniel?

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Will Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel?

Since Stephen M. Ross bought the Dolphins in 2009, the team has had five head coaches. Tony Sparano was the coach when Ross’ purchase of the team went through, and he lasted until 2011. After that, it was Joe Philbin for four years, Adam Gase for three years and Brian Flores for three years before McDaniel took over in 2022.

Gase fell out with the team during his third season and Flores was fired in what was expected to be the precursor to Miami then hiring Sean Payton, which didn’t happen. One wonders if Year 3 will be a curse for McDaniel as well.

McDaniel was a first-time head coach when the Dolphins hired him. He had spent one season as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator before being hired. On the one hand, the 2-6 record so far this season looks bad regardless of injuries, but losing a quarterback like Tagovailoa clearly gives him a bit of an excuse.

McDaniel has earned some goodwill and forgiveness for the injuries. In Tagovailoa’s absence, Miami went with Skyler Thompson and Tyler Huntley under center, but neither comes close to Tagovailoa’s caliber of a starting quarterback. McDaniel hasn’t been able to deliver an AFC East division title to Miami yet, but he does keep the team playing consistently when healthy.

If McDaniel and the Dolphins only win a handful of games the rest of the way, McDaniel might get the boot, but between his success thus far and the injuries that have piled up, he probably needs another season as the Dolphins’ head coach on the horizon.

Mike McDaniel contract

When hired in 2022, McDaniel was initially signed to a four-year contract. The front office was impressed with him during the first two years of his contract and pushed him for a multi-year extension. The head coach was initially under contract through 2025, but due to the multi-year extension, he is now likely tied to Miami through the 2027 season.

McDaniel has also crafted his offense with specific players to execute his game plan. Tyreek Hill is under contract until 2026, Jaylen Waddle until 2028, Tua Tagovailoa until 2028 and De’Von Achane until 2026 currently. Miami has offended McDaniel’s scheme and the front office will likely give him at least another year without devastating injuries to see what he can do.

Mike McDaniel’s coaching record