Raheem Mostert Exposes How Players Would Put Hands on Ex-HC Mike McDaniel Amid Hostile Team Environment

Former Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert says that the locker room descended into chaos during Mike McDaniel's tenure as the head coach.

Raheem Mostert Exposes How Players Would Put Hands on Ex-HC Mike McDaniel Amid Hostile Team Environment

Mike McDaniel and Raheem Mostert (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Raheem Mostert criticized Mike McDaniel's leadership style, citing a lack of respect for players.
  • Mostert noted that player discontent escalated to the point of cursing at coaches and physical altercations.
  • The Dolphins fired McDaniel after a disappointing season, ending his tenure with a 35-33 record.

When Mike McDaniel took on the head coaching position with the Miami Dolphins, NFL media regarded him as one of the top young offensive minds, with the potential to make the Dolphins operate at peak performance. By the time McDaniel left South Beach, chaos had erupted in the locker room, with players submitting trade requests to play elsewhere. Running back Raheem Mostert was in a prime position to observe the chaos unfolding within the team.

Mostert, an undrafted free agent, played one game during his earlier days in the league before bouncing around rosters of the Ravens, Jets, Browns, and the Bears and eventually the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. A year later, the Niners named McDaniel their run game specialist, and four years after that, they promoted him to offensive coordinator.

Mostert had the most productive campaign of his career up to that point in 2019, racking up 137 carries for 772 yards and 8 touchdowns. Injuries kept him from replicating similar numbers. However, when the Dolphins poached McDaniel in 2022, Mostert followed him to the AFC East.

Appearing on the April 2nd edition of the 4th & South podcast, Mostert compared the two phases of McDaniel’s career.

I had two different Mikes. Mike in San Francisco didn’t have the role like he did when he was in Miami. So when he comes to Miami, now he gets that free rein to call his own shots, do his own thing.

Raheem Mostert revealed

Mike McDaniel lost the locker room in Miami

The Dolphins brought in Tyreek Hill to pair him with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and gave the RB1 job to Mostert. Qualifying for the playoffs with a 9-8 record in the regular season increased the fans of the Miami franchise tenfold.

The following year, the Dolphins led the league in scoring and finished 11-6. Mostert scored a career-high 18 rushing touchdowns. However, once again, they were knocked out in the wildcard round.

Raheem Mostert Exposes How Players Would Put Hands on Ex-HC Mike McDaniel Amid Hostile Team Environment
Mike McDaniel (Image via IMAGO)

2024 started in the worst possible way imaginable. Hill faced legal troubles, and later, Tagovailoa suffered consecutive head injuries, which ultimately sidelined him for the rest of the year. As a result, Miami finished the season with a losing record and missed the playoffs. Hill publicly announced that he wanted to leave the Dolphins, as he was tired of losing winnable games. While McDaniel convinced Hill to stay, Mostert left the team to sign in Vegas.

The Dolphins began the 2025 season with strong performances, but everything changed when Hill sustained a severe leg injury. With Hill in rehab, the load of carrying the offense fell on De’Von Achane. Miami won seven games and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. Shortly after, the brass fired McDaniel.

Mostert revealed that by his third year, the 43-year-old had lost the confidence of his players and failed to command the respect expected of a veteran with his experience.

It was a little bit of complacency [from McDaniel], but then also like we were also trying to make up for past times. I felt like there was a lack of respect just because he didn’t put any emphasis on trying to demand respect…  If you’ve got guys that are cussing coaches out on the sideline, it’s over with. But not just one time, like numerous times, or even putting their hands on a coach. Come on, that’s different.

Mostert said

Mostert’s claim lines up with a comment from Hill, who once said he felt like punching McDaniel in the heat of the moment. According to Phinsider, Hill said,

I remember one game I wanted to knock out Coach McDaniel… because he wasn’t throwing me the ball, man.

After four seasons and a posting a 35-33 record (.524), the Dolphins fired McDaniel. He quickly found a new home, agreeing to become the new offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill followed up the news with an intriguing tweet.

The Dolphins also cut Hill as he continues his rehab. Hill may link up with McDaniel in LA. He won’t have to worry about coaching, as Jim Harbaugh is a tough old-fashioned coach. As for Mostert, he rushed 22 times for 104 yards as RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty in Vegas. Unless the Raiders extend his stay, the veteran will be without a club for the foreseeable future.

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