Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Dolphins' Mike McDaniel addresses fight at joint practice with Bears

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 10, 2025 6:38 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins had an embarrassing moment during their joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Friday.

Amid a chippy practice that saw multiple fights break out between the Bears and Dolphins, Miami teammates and linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson started their own fight.

Following the Bears-Dolphins 24-24 tie on Sunday, head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the fight between Brooks and Dodson.

"The people that were engaged in it were, you know, they came up to me and explained kind of what happened," McDaniel said via video from David Furones of the Miami Sun Sentinel. "And biggest thing is they took the time to apologize to the team. Things happen in life, in football.

"But when you have people that, on their own accord, want to talk to the team and explain what happened and it brings your team closer. Because they, I think they understand that there's something bigger at play than just their names when you're fighting in a twin practice."

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel’s take on the in-fighting between Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson at Friday’s joint practice. pic.twitter.com/MyJ4Yf0kxj
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 10, 2025

McDaniel described the situation as more of a "brotherly fight" than an angry confrontation. Still, he knew the optics didn't look good when the Dolphins were exchanging blows amongst themselves.

"They knew it wasn't to our standard and what we're about, and so they were accountable with their teammates, and I think to the team," McDaniel said. "So overall, I think it was something that family businesses and families go through, and I think we're stronger because of it."

There have been some awkward interactions with several Miami teammates during training camp. Tua Tagovailoa publicly called out wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill called for De'Von Achane to be benched on third downs, which the running back took offense to.

Outside of the building, it appears the Dolphins don't have a cohesive unit, based on those comments and the fight between Brooks and Dodson.

But maybe the honest conversations the Dolphins are having in training camp will make the team less soft in the upcoming season.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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