Mike McDaniel fired FAQ: What's next for him, Dolphins? - ESPN

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins fired coach Mike McDaniel Thursday following a 7-10 season, closing the book on a sharp collapse for what was once one of the NFL's most promising teams.

The Dolphins started the 2025 season by losing seven of their first nine games, but rebounded nicely with a four-game winning streak entering a Week 15 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But Miami lost its next two games to seal its second consecutive losing season.

The team parted ways with general manager Chris Grier at the end of October and have now completely cleaned house with McDaniel fired.

Two years ago, the Dolphins led the Buffalo Bills by three games in December and were in contention for the AFC's No. 1 seed. But then Miami blew a 14-point lead in the final three minutes of a «Monday Night Football» loss to the Tennessee Titans and things were never the same. The Bills won five straight games en route to their fourth straight AFC East title, while the Dolphins lost three of their final five games of the season, losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City in the wild-card round.

Since that loss to Tennessee, the Dolphins are 17-21. Despite high-profile roster moves over the past four years, such as trading for Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, Jalen Ramsey and Chase Claypool, and signing Terron Armstead, Calais Campbell and Odell Beckham Jr, Miami still found itself in need of a cultural reset this past offseason after missing the playoffs for the first time under McDaniel in 2024.

Even with the reset, it wasn't enough to save his job.

Miami was blown out by the Colts to begin the season and lost Hill in Week 4 to a dislocated knee. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was also benched following the Week 15 loss to