In his second year as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel has significantly impacted the franchise’s performance. Following last year’s successful playoff run, the team is currently on track for another postseason appearance under his leadership.
Drawing from his extensive experience working under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, McDaniel has cultivated one of the NFL’s most efficient and thrilling offenses. His tenure at the helm has not only seen on-field success but has also been marked by memorable moments, some of which have gone viral.
During a press conference in November, McDaniel spontaneously commented on his height, telling reporters, “I’m bigger in person. You’re right.” In another light-hearted instance earlier in the season, he sprinted toward the tunnel at halftime during a game against the New England Patriots.
Adding to the coach’s colorful narrative, a recent amusing text exchange between McDaniel and NFL legend Peyton Manning has garnered attention. The exchange was featured on ESPN’s “ManningCast.”
In the screenshot displayed during the broadcast, Manning reached out to McDaniel, inquiring if the coach could spare a few minutes to discuss the upcoming Week 14 game between the Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans. Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner, contacted McDaniel as part of his preparation for the AFC matchup.
McDaniel’s response, “Um f— yes you’re f—ing Payton manning bro,” included a humorous typo. Peyton, in good spirits, pointed out the mistake to his brother Eli Manning, a New York Giants legend, who found the reaction both exciting and amusing despite the misspelling of his name.
The Manning brothers playfully questioned whether McDaniel might have been confusing Peyton with another “Payton” – former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, now coaching one of Manning’s former teams, the Denver Broncos.
While the Dolphins suffered a narrow one-point loss to the Titans, their playoff hopes remain alive as they continue to hold the top spot in the AFC East division. Looking ahead, the Dolphins will host the New York Jets in Week 15. The Jets are coming off a surprising win over the Houston Texans, with quarterback Zach Wilson delivering a standout performance, throwing for 301 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in a decisive victory at MetLife Stadium.
