Mike McDaniel reveals the Bill Belichick game plan that kept him up at night

The New England Patriots had been the dominators for most of the century, winning six Super Bowl titles. The Patriots, led by the ravenous quarterback Tom Brady and mastermind coach Bill Belichick, rightfully carved out a dynasty unmatched by anyone before or after them.

The Brady-Belichick era was difficult for the opposition, who had to face a quarterback who’d stop at nothing. And also deal with a coach whose plans are often stealthy and unpredictable.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel recently admitted that Bill Belichick was the one defensive coach who truly challenged him during his NFL journey. Known for his creative offense, McDaniel admitted that Belichick’s strategic mind made him think harder than anyone else on the other sideline.

During an appearance on ESPN’s This is Football with Kevin Clark, McDaniel opened up about how Belichick’s unpredictable game plans forced him to adjust in ways few other coaches did. He said the former Patriots coach brought a level of innovation to defense that was unmatched.

McDaniel credited Belichick for his ability to apply complex ideas in simple ways, making them difficult to prepare for in live action. He noted how the Patriots’ defense often broke from tradition and used unexpected formations and alignments.

Bill Belichick was a beast. He gets a lot of credit, I’m not sure if he gets the appropriate credit for the defensive mind. And application, uniformity, unpredictability, outside-the-box problem solving.

Mike McDaniel said

I asked Mike McDaniel what defensive coach keeps him awake at night.

He talks about Belichick's positionless football then shouts out JONATHAN GANNON's use of BUDDA BAKER.

"He's kamikaze. 'How are you this fearless?' He's playing like he's the biggest player on the field." pic.twitter.com/uLGUxug0ws

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) April 4, 2025

Mike McDaniel revisited a particular 2023 matchup as an example of the tricky game plan devised by Bill Belichick

Mike McDaniel pointed to one particular matchup in 2023 when the New England Patriots used a strategy that caught Miami completely off guard. Rather than sticking to defined positions, Belichick’s defenders roamed into areas where the Dolphins usually attacked through the air.

He just had this odd idea of a defensive game plan of guys, in positionless football, just standing in the areas that we usually like to throw. And it was like, ‘What? This is unique.’ So things like that, he was a force football-wise.

Mike McDaniel explained

Now coaching the North Carolina Tar Heels, Belichick will not face McDaniel on an NFL field this season. But his legacy continues to impact the league’s brightest minds, even from a distance.

Bill Belichick isn’t the only defensive mastermind who kept Mike McDaniel awake at night

Mike McDaniel also named Arizona Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon as one of the other defensive masterminds whom he respected and feared. Speaking about how the Cardinals structure their defense, McDaniel emphasized how Gannon utilised safety Budda Baker’s presence to elevate the overall challenge for opposing offenses.

According to McDaniel, Arizona’s system stands out because it doesn’t follow a traditional NFL format. Instead, it relies on high energy, creative movement, and aggressive playmaking—much of which is driven by Baker’s intensity and versatility on the field.

(Baker) is a kamikaze. There’s guys all over the place, lots of blitzing, a lot of shell coverage…you just commend (Baker) because like, ‘How are you this fearless? He’s playing as if he’s the biggest player on the field.

Mike McDaniel continued

McDaniel also noted how well the Cardinals’ defense complements itself, blending chaos with coordination. After a rather unimpressive outing in 2024, Mike McDaniel and the squad might be looking for a turnaround. They have made some moves in the offseason suggestive of better things coming their way.

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