Will Mike McDaniel Send a Message?

Will Mike McDaniel Send a Message?

The Miami Dolphins are quickly approaching a crossroads in their season, and all eyes are on head coach Mike McDaniel. If he plans to keep the confidence of his locker room, the fan base, and most importantly, team owner Stephen Ross, he must start sending a stronger message—not just with words, but with actions. That means holding his players and his staff accountable, no matter the name on the back of the jersey.

To McDaniel’s credit, he has dabbled in making tough decisions, but he’s never made it his calling card. Last week, however, he benched Kion Smith in favor of Daniel Brunskill. That move needs to serve as a wake-up call to the rest of the team—and something he commits to going forward.

Miami can no longer afford to be a team that lives off potential or excuses. The message from McDaniel must be crystal clear: production and accountability matter more than status or friendships. That means demanding more from his captains, who have been too quiet during critical stretches.

It means expecting better from his coaching staff, especially on the defensive side, where communication breakdowns and missed assignments continue to plague this roster. And yes, it also means putting pressure on his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.

Let’s be honest—McDaniel can’t outright bench Tua. The organization has invested too much in him financially. But that doesn’t mean McDaniel has to blindly trust him either. The quickest way to send a message is by taking the ball out of his hands when the situation calls for it. Leaning on the run game not only gives Miami a more balanced and physical identity, but it also shows that McDaniel cares about winning above all else.