Time for Change: Dolphins Must Strip Mike McDaniel of Play-Calling Duties—or Move On Entirely

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Dorian Sims | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 7:43 PM ET

Time for Change: Dolphins Must Strip Mike McDaniel of Play-Calling Duties—or Move On Entirely

The Miami Dolphins entered the 2025 season with one clear mission: to become a more physical football team. All offseason, the message was about toughness, balance, and dictating the game with the ground attack. Yet in their season-opening disaster against the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Mike McDaniel showed the same stubborn tendencies that have plagued his tenure.

Rather than leaning on running backs De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon to set the tone, McDaniel reverted to his comfort zone—dropping Tua Tagovailoa back to pass early and often. The result? A one-dimensional offense, three Tua turnovers, and a loss that already has fans and pundits questioning whether McDaniel should remain in charge of the play sheet—or even the team.

The failure should not hang on Tua (even though the fanbase will have you thinking otherwise). Yes, his turnovers were extremely costly and decided the game.

But Tua was set up to fail. He never had a chance to find rhythm or comfort. The Colts stacked the box with seven or more defenders playing pass-first, daring Miami to run. Any coach with common sense would take advantage of light run fronts and punish defenses on the ground. Instead, McDaniel doubled down on timing routes that require near-perfection.

The reason we failed was Mike McDaniel’s offensive game plan and his scheme (which we have questioned since early in 2023). The offensive line must hold just long enough for receivers to clear their breaks, while Tua usually has to get rid of the ball before his targets make their cuts. This is a hope and pray scheme.

This is the larger issue with McDaniel’s offense—it relies too heavily on ideal circumstances. When everything clicks, the Dolphins look unstoppable. But in the NFL, perfection is rare, and sustainable schemes adapt to what defenses give them. McDaniel, however, appears unwilling to adjust, convinced he is the smartest man in the stadium.

That arrogance is why the Dolphins looked soft and predictable against Indianapolis, and it’s why serious conversations about his future must start now.

The solution isn’t complicated. Miami already has Darrell Bevell on staff, a respected offensive mind who understands Tua as well as, if not better than, McDaniel himself. Handing Bevell the reins of play-calling could inject much-needed balance and pragmatism into this offense.

At the same time, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has already shown he can inspire players to fight. While his unit gave up points, they were repeatedly hung out to dry by an offense that put them in impossible positions. This locker room is more likely to rally around Weaver’s toughness and Bevell’s steady approach than McDaniel’s stubborn schemes.

Owner Stephen Ross has long been known for patience, but he’s also made it clear that mediocrity will not be tolerated. The time for excuses is over. Miami must strip Mike McDaniel of play-calling duties immediately, or Ross should consider making a clean break. This early-season wake-up call could be the jolt the franchise needs to finally get serious about winning football games the right way.

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

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