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Should the Dolphins Interview Sean McDermott?
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Should the Dolphins Interview Sean McDermott?

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk  |  By Mike Oliva  |  Last updated Jan 19, 2026 1:07 PM ET

Should the Dolphins Interview Sean McDermott?

Sometimes, when you have plans, something changes, and they blow up.

For the past 24 hours or so, it’s been widely reported by various NFL insiders that the Miami Dolphins may have Jeff Hafley signed and sealed as their next head coach by Monday evening, as he has a 2nd interveiw with the Dolphins today.

As Hafley has a 2nd interview with the Titans on Tuesday and the Titans have Hafley as a finalist, Miami wants to ensure he never takes that interview.

But a funny thing happened Monday morning: the Buffalo Bills fired their head coach, Sean McDermott, and now a very accomplished head coach is on the open market that may interest the Dolphins.

That may get the Dolphins to think long and hard before locking up Hafley today.

The question is, should this get Miami to maybe pivot and change their plans?

Since being the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott has made the playoffs 8 of 9 years.

His overall regular-season record is 98-50 (.662), including 5 division titles.

He has been one of the elite head coaches in the NFL in recent years, but he just couldn’t get over that hump in the playoffs and get to a Super Bowl with a loaded roster.

Now, for a team like Miami, which just wants to get to the playoffs, win divisions, be in the mix, and isn’t looking at the Super Bowl right now, McDermott is the perfect guy to lay that foundation and make the Dolphins a viable NFL team year in and year out.

He would be the perfect guy to help rebuild the Dolphins, as he did this already in Buffalo.

But is it worth it for Miami to throw its current plans out the window?

Jon-Eric Sullivan has a relationship with Jeff Hafley, and Hafley has come from the same Packers lineage as Sullivan.

This is sort of a match made in heaven, knowing the general manager and head coach will be aligned and there will be synergy in the Dolphins organization for the first time in decades.

Reports say that if Miami doesn’t hire Hafley today, he could be hired by the Titans tomorrow.

Is it worth the risk of losing your top choice for the possibility of landing McDermott?

McDermott may not want to interview in Miami and may view jobs in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Las Vegas as better spots for him.

Even if he does interveiw he may not accept an offer in Miami if he does get one.

Then Miami lost out on Hafley and didn’t land McDermott, and is stuck with their 3rd option at best?

There is something to be said for “run your race” and don’t blow up your plans because the Bills fired Sean McDermott today.

We will see what Miami does, and no matter what they do, they will hear criticism.

Regardless, this will be a very interesting week in Miami Dolphins history.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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