How potential candidates could reportedly impact Dolphins' Mike McDaniel decision

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was the subject of many job-security rumors long before the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier "mutually" agreed to part ways on Oct. 31.

Since then, however, the Dolphins have recorded three consecutive wins to improve to 5-7 and stay in playoff contention at least through Week 14. In an update shared on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano discussed McDaniel's uncertain future. 

How Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly views Mike McDaniel

"There are a number of people in the league who think Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel could be saving his job with a strong finish," Graziano wrote. "The Dolphins fired GM Chris Grier at a low point of their season but held onto McDaniel, who's well-liked in the building and by team ownership. Obviously, Miami is headed into a transition period, and anything is still possible. But the field of head coach candidates this year isn't being perceived as very robust, and Dolphins ownership still thinks McDaniel can be a successful coach." 

McDaniel has been the Dolphins' head coach since 2022 and has yet to lead Miami to a playoff win. While the team was 2-7 when Grier was dismissed, a report from Sunday revealed that the "primary reason" McDaniel kept his job is that "those in the upper reaches of the Dolphins’ organization held that McDaniel had not lost the players." 

Will Dolphins revisit Mike McDaniel's status if current coaches become available? 

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin are two big names who could become available once their seasons conclude. It's uncertain whether Ross would consider either of them as a potential replacement for McDaniel. That said, some NFL insiders believe McDaniel will stay in his role unless the Dolphins completely fall apart before the end of Week 18. 

"It would not be a shock at all at this point to see him still coaching the Dolphins in 2026," Graziano added about McDaniel. 

The Dolphins next play at the 3-9 New York Jets this Sunday. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Miami as a 2.5-point favorite. At that same time, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Dolphins just a 0.2 percent chance to make the playoffs.