Dolphins' Mike McDaniel drops big hint about future amid job-security rumors

Rumors hinted throughout the week that the Miami Dolphins could fire head coach Mike McDaniel if they fall to 1-6 on the season via a loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns (1-5) at Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field this Sunday.

While speaking with reporters on Friday, McDaniel suggested he will have a significant say regarding which Dolphins players remain with the team through the Nov. 4 trade deadline. 

Mike McDaniel makes big statement about trade rumors involving Dolphins players

"For the record, all rumors about Miami Dolphins players are baseless currently," McDaniel said, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "And that’s unfortunate. Personally, not just this year for this team. This time of year bothers me for the sake of the individual player that’s having to answer questions about his long-term journey or where he’s playing, questioned on rumors or thoughts of other people."

Specifically, ESPN and other outlets have noted that the Dolphins could make wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back De’Von Achane, edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips and fellow pass-rusher Bradley Chubb available before the trade deadline. 

Rumors about McDaniel possibly being on the hot seat emerged long before his team lost five of six games to open the season and before a report detailing alleged culture issues within the Dolphins went public in September. More recently, McDaniel publicly criticized quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after Tagovailoa used a news conference to call out teammates who failed to attend players-only meetings or were late for those meetings. 

That said, a Thursday update shared that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross "is not looking to" fire McDaniel anytime soon. 

Mike McDaniel challenges Dolphins for matchup vs. Browns' Dillon Gabriel

Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is on track to start against Miami after he took six sacks and 16 hits after throws in Cleveland's 23-9 defeat at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 12. Gabriel lost his first two starts after replacing veteran Joe Flacco in the Cleveland lineup. 

"The team facing him — for us this week — our job is to make him look like a rookie," McDaniel said about Gabriel, according to Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons. "What does that mean? That means 11 convicted players playing together and making it hard on him. But, don’t get it twisted. Just because he’s a rookie doesn’t mean he can’t spin the ball, see the field and take advantage of opportunities that you give him. So, the main thing to me is don’t allow him to get comfortable and find a new level of success at this level."

As of Friday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Dolphins as 2.5-point underdogs against the Browns. Whether or not the outcome of that game will determine if McDaniel is still employed through Monday shall be seen.