Who Will Stop The Suffering?

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Dorian Sims | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 10:40 AM ET

Who Will Stop The Suffering?

The Miami Dolphins have once again found themselves in a familiar place — searching for answers in the midst of disappointment. A season that began with optimism has quickly turned into one filled with frustration, finger-pointing, and uncertainty. The question now isn’t just what went wrong, but who will step up to finally end the suffering for this franchise?

Will it be Stephen Ross, the team’s owner, making the kind of organizational shakeup that’s been years in the making? Ross has stood by general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel through countless ups and downs, but even his patience has limits.

If the Dolphins continue to spiral, Ross may have no choice but to hit the reset button — though that decision would come with major implications. A midseason shakeup could galvanize the locker room, lighting a fire under players and coaches who suddenly realize their jobs are on the line. But a quick turnaround might also hurt the team’s 2026 draft position and delay the full-scale rebuild many believe is necessary.

Or will it be Mike McDaniel who finds a way to right the ship? McDaniel’s creativity has never been in question, but his leadership and decision-making have. Predictable play-calling, questionable personnel usage, and a lack of in-game adjustments have plagued the Dolphins this season.

McDaniel is coaching for both his current job and his long-term reputation — and he knows it. Could bolder calls, or a fresh offensive approach, turn things around? Possibly.

Then there’s Anthony Weaver, whose once-promising group has been one of the biggest liabilities on the team. At times, the Dolphins’ defense looks competent, but more often than not, they can’t get off the field and give up far too many points. The issues lie in both execution and scheme.

One of Miami’s best pass rushers, Jaelan Phillips, is too often seen dropping into coverage instead of doing what he does best: hunting quarterbacks. Weaver has shown flashes of smart situational play-calling, but consistency has been the problem. If he can find the right balance between pressure and coverage — and keep his top playmakers on the field together — this defense might finally reach its potential.

Of course, none of it will matter if the players themselves don’t execute. Many of Miami’s losses this year have come down to self-inflicted wounds — missed tackles, dropped passes, costly penalties, and turnovers that kill momentum.

Every time the Dolphins have had a chance to seize control of a game, they’ve let it slip away, while opponents have capitalized. On top of that, Miami continues to struggle to generate takeaways and consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The question remains: who will end the Dolphins’ suffering? Whether it’s the owner, the coach, the coordinator, or the players, someone has to take ownership — and fast. Because the bleeding has to stop, one way or another.

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

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