REPORT: McDaniel has NOT Lost the Dolphins Locker-Room; Tua Relationship Needs Work

REPORT: McDaniel has NOT Lost the Dolphins Locker-Room; Tua Relationship Needs Work

NFL Inside Dianna Russini has a report out on Saturday discussing what is going on with the Miami Dolphins right now.

She has some insight into the behind-the-scenes relationships currently in Miami Gardens.

Russini says: “I’m told that embattled Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has not lost the vast majority of Miami’s locker room despite a 1-6 start. However, as we have seen play out in press conferences, his relationship with QB Tua Tagovailoa needs work if the Dolphins hope to right the ship Sunday in Atlanta — and beyond.

As one NFL GM explained, “Miami needs a fresh start. They never really developed and drafted well enough. They put Band-Aids on the roster and no progress. Mike’s not a bad coach. It’s just an aimless program … not a program that can be sustained.”

In recent weeks, Tua and Mike McDaniel have been throwing subtle jabs at each other in press conferences, many believe.

This past week, McDaniel said on Wednesday that he had met with Tua for two and a half hours to go over the offense, but also pointed out that it was not unusual.

Despite McDaniel not losing the Dolphins locker room, it is still very likely that he will be let go at some point in the season or after the season, and the Dolphins will move in a different direction in 2026.

Numerous reports from other NFL insiders are stating that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wants to give McDaniel time to turn this season around, but week after week, the team is performing worse and finding new ways to lose football games, so it appears to be a matter of when, not if, McDaniel is let go at this point.

The comment by the unnamed NFL General Manager in her report is spot on, and in reality, the bigger problem with the Dolphins is roster Construction.

I am not sure any NFL head coach could win with this current Dolphins roster.