Dolphins' McDaniel on hot seat as owner signals no firing despite 0-3 start

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross does not want to fire head coach Mike McDaniel, even after the team opened the season 0-3 with a Thursday night loss to the Buffalo Bills. The skid follows a season-opening 33-8 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts and a close loss to the New England Patriots as Miami prepared for a stretch of more favorable games.

The discourse around McDaniel’s status has intensified, with Ian Rapoport reporting that Ross wants this to work and believes in the coach, even as players and fans react to a disappointing start. Rapoport described Ross as someone who "does not want to fire Mike McDaniel, he doesn’t. He wants this to work, likes him. He believes in him. He has invested him." The remarks came before Week 3 and did little to clear the air after an 0-3 start. Chop Robinson told the Miami Herald, "At the end of the day, it’s not him out there on the field... It’s us out there playing the game, making the mistakes on the field and stuff like that. So at the end of the day, it may look bad for him, but it’s really on us. We’ve got to get it better." Patrick Paul added, "He believes in his players. He inspires us." Tyrel Dodson stated, "He inspires us." The Dolphins began the season with a 33-8 loss to the Colts and then a close loss to the Patriots.

Miami's schedule on paper lightens after Buffalo, with games against the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets on deck. McDaniel was asked about job security this week and said, "I think if I worry about my job security, I won’t be doing my job. I won’t spend one moment thinking about all the things that people - whatever people want me to think about. I’m thinking about this team and the Buffalo Bills here after I get done with this podium." The two-year arc of the franchise adds context as the team tries to rebound.

Two years ago, the Dolphins were in a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, a reminder of a recent high before this season’s struggles. The dynamic between the front office and the coaching staff will help determine whether Miami can salvage a 2025 campaign, or whether the scrutiny surrounding McDaniel’s tenure will intensify as the season unfolds.