Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel in HOTSEAT after 5 straight losses despite a promising start to the season
Mike McDaniels stint with the Dolphins might not see a second year according to some reports
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Mike McDaniel (Image via Getty Images)
Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins had a dream start to their season before their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, went down with a concussion injury. The rookie head coach will be facing the Jets in a must-win game in week 18 to save the Dolphins’ season and potentially his job.
The Dolphins have a record of eight wins and eight losses and still can clinch a playoff spot with some. They have to win their game against the Jets and they have to hope for a Patriots loss against the Buffalo Bills. Mike McDaniel has to defeat the Jets without his explosive QB Tua since the third-year quarterback got injured in a game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Miami-based football team has yet to win a game (0-3) without Tua Tagovailoa this season. A big reason for McDaniel’s success as an offensive coordinator was his rushing game, which is almost non-existent this season. In fact, the Miami Dolphins rank 27 out of 32 in rushing yards per game even after adding two new running backs in the 2022 season.
And now, according to reports, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is not happy with the team’s performance in the last five games. Furthermore, HC Mike McDaniel, GM Chris Grier, and Defensive coordinator Josh Boyers’ jobs are at risk as the owner will not like the team missing the playoffs after starting the season 8-3.
Injuries ruined Mike McDaniel’s rookie season with the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were lauded by many experts for hiring the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. In addition, Chris Grier did his job when he acquired the star wideout Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs in a blockbuster trade.
The Dolphins’ plan seemed to be working when they started the season undefeated for three weeks until their quarterback was healthy and making plays. As soon as Tua went down with an injury, many holes opened in the Dolphins and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could not close them all.
Without Tua, the Dolphins started to sink like a ship without a captain and it was very evident in their week 16 game against the Packers. Before suffering a concussion, Tua threw for 229 yards and a touchdown with a 144.4 passer rating and after suffering a head injury, Tua threw three interceptions in the second half, which eventually cost them a game.
The Dolphins with and without Tua are a completely different team because their rushing attack is non-existent. Hence, they can’t keep up with their opponents the whole game. The Dolphins’ defense is ranked 27th in points allowed per game and without a rushing attack or Pro-Bowl caliber QB, an offense can’t win games on its own.
In brief, it is highly unlikely that the Dolphins part ways with Kyle Shanahan‘s prodigy and they will probably let him run the team for at least one more year. However, if the Dolphins don’t address the issues in their defense, special teams, and their ground game, the entire weight of their franchise will once again fall on the trio of Tua, Hill, and Waddle.
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Aravind Raj
(2075 Articles Published)