Miami Dolphins Rest Of Season Outlook

 Mike McDaniel on the Hot Seat

Head coach Mike McDaniel entered the year needing to prove he could finally turn Miami into a legitimate contender. Instead, the Dolphins look like a team that is poorly prepared and lacking in execution. The numbers tell the story. Miami has given up 33 points in back-to-back games to open the season. McDaniel’s playoff record also speaks volumes. He is 0-2 in the postseason and carries a 28-25 overall record in the regular season as Miami’s head coach. The Dolphins have not shown the kind of progress ownership hoped for when he was hired. With pressure mounting, the McDaniel experiment appears to be nearing its end. It increasingly looks like he may not make it through the full season, and a coaching change could come sooner rather than later.

Trade Rumors Could Be Heating Up

If the Dolphins continue to slide, front office leadership may turn to the trade market to retool the roster. The biggest name in the rumor mill is wide receiver Tyreek Hill. As of right now, it seems as if Hill and Tagovailoa’s relationship is fractured. While the team has not publicly indicated a willingness to move him, there is a growing sense around the league that a deal could materialize before the deadline. Hill would bring back premium draft capital and allow Miami to begin reshaping the roster with more balance.

Beyond Hill, several other players could become trade chips if Miami embraces a retooling approach. Veterans with expiring contracts or players no longer part of the long-term plan could be on the move as the organization looks to stockpile picks and address glaring weaknesses on defense and the offensive line. Even if it is not a full rebuild, the Dolphins may take steps toward reshaping the roster for 2026 and beyond.

Tua Tagovailoa’s Long-Term Outlook

The biggest question mark of all is at quarterback. Miami invested heavily in Tua Tagovailoa, who is under contract until 2029. His performance remains inconsistent. Through two games, he has thrown three interceptions and been sacked eight times. He has struggled to sustain high-level play, and durability continues to be a major concern. Critics argue he could be one major hit away from retirement. With this shaky start, he has not looked like a franchise-defining answer. The Dolphins must seriously evaluate whether Tagovailoa is capable of leading the team into the future.

Outlook

The Dolphins rest of season outlook is not bright. An 0-2 start has exposed long-standing issues that have not been solved under the current regime. Mike McDaniel’s job security is in doubt, star players such as Tyreek Hill may be trade candidates, and Tua Tagovailoa’s future is far from certain. Unless Miami finds answers quickly, the rest of the 2025 season could be about positioning for a new direction rather than chasing the playoffs.