Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel refused to discuss his future with the team following a 45–21 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The loss added to a season of disappointing performances, as Miami has already been eliminated from the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Once again, the team struggled in the third quarter, undoing their earlier efforts with costly mistakes that have been a recurring issue throughout the season.
McDaniel Retained for 2026, Focuses on Fixing Third-Quarter Struggles and Team Consistency
Reports from NFL Network indicate that team owner Stephen Ross plans to retain McDaniel for the 2026 season despite the team’s continued struggles. McDaniel said his focus remains on improving the team’s play rather than worrying about his job. He stressed that correcting the third-quarter lapses is a priority as the Dolphins prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.
Mike McDaniel (NFL)McDaniel expressed frustration over the team’s inability to maintain consistency after halftime. Miami committed four turnovers that led directly to Bengals touchdowns. He took responsibility for the breakdowns, emphasizing that it is his role as head coach to fix the problems rather than place blame on the players.
Rookie Quinn Ewers Debuts as Tagovailoa Benched, Showing Potential Despite Second-Half Struggles
Earlier in the week, McDaniel made the difficult decision to bench struggling quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and start rookie Quinn Ewers. In his first career start, Ewers completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards and led three scoring drives. He demonstrated composure in running the offense and showed the mobility that Miami had been missing this season, though fans remained frustrated as the game slipped out of hand.
Ewers struggled in the second half, throwing two interceptions, but McDaniel avoided harsh criticism, citing the team’s breakdowns during that period. Tagovailoa, serving as the emergency third quarterback, stayed on the sideline with a clipboard, offering advice and encouragement. Ewers praised Tagovailoa for his leadership, noting the positive influence he had on the rookie and the other players.
