Dolphins Players Push Back as Fans Demand Coach Mike McDaniel’s Firing

Temperatures in Miami rose this week as planes towed banners calling for coach Mike McDaniel’s job, but several Dolphins players publicly pushed back on critics who have made the coach the face of the team’s poor start to the 2025 season.

The Dolphins were blown out by the Indianapolis Colts and lost a close game to the New England Patriots to open the year, and they now head to Buffalo on Thursday night facing the prospect of an 0-3 start. Amid external pressure and speculation about his job security, McDaniel said he is not listening to outside noise and will remain focused on preparation for the Bills.

"I think if I worry about my job security, I won’t be doing my job," McDaniel told reporters Monday. "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 coach’s remarks were first reported by national outlets covering the team.

Players offered pointed reminders that the outcomes on the field are decided by their execution. "At the end of the day, it’s not him out there on the field," linebacker Chop Robinson told the Miami Herald. "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."

Offensive tackle Patrick Paul said McDaniel "believes in his players," and linebacker Tyrel Dodson said the coach "inspires us," while adding that the roster must execute its assignments more consistently. Several teammates expressed similar sentiments in interviews and on social media, urging accountability from players rather than a coaching scapegoat.

Robinson, however, left Sunday’s game with an injury, compounding Miami’s on-field issues. The nature and severity of the injury have not been detailed by the team.

The public backlash has included aerial banners flown over the Miami area calling for McDaniel’s dismissal. Betting and prediction markets have also reacted: on the events trading platform Polymarket, McDaniel became the favorite to be the first NFL coach fired this season, with the market assigning roughly a 76 percent chance that he would be dismissed before any other coach.

The Dolphins opened the season with a lopsided loss to the Colts and a narrow defeat to the Patriots, leaving the team searching for answers on both sides of the ball. McDaniel took over the Miami program amid high expectations, but the team’s early-season struggles have intensified scrutiny from fans and national observers.

With a challenging trip to Buffalo looming, the focus inside the Dolphins’ locker room remained on execution and preparation. Players who voiced public support said they expect on-field improvements to quiet outside commentary and alter the narrative surrounding the coaching staff.

The Dolphins’ next game is Thursday night at Buffalo. Team officials did not announce any immediate changes to the coaching staff or front-office structure as of Monday afternoon.