Rex Ryan Shreds Mike McDaniel by Questioning His Respect in Dolphins Locker Room

The Miami Dolphins suffered an embarrassing blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts raising questions about Mike McDaniel's leadership.

Rex Ryan Shreds Mike McDaniel by Questioning His Respect in Dolphins Locker Room

Rex Ryan is not sure whether Dolphins players respect Mike McDaniel (Image via Imago)

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When the Miami Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel to be their next head coach, the idea was that his wizardry would help the beleaguered franchise get back to competitiveness.

The idea worked in his first two seasons in charge as he helped quarterback Tua Tagovailoa answer back his critics with stellar performances across the board. The Hawaiian even led the league in QB categories in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Those performances, however, were not consistent enough and saw the Dolphins getting booted out of the Wild Card rounds on both occasions. Last season, the situation went from bad to worse when McDaniel could not coach his team as Tagovailoa struggled through injury.

Star wideout Tyreek Hill expressed his frustrations and was rumored to be on the move. Eventually, he reversed course and revealed he had buried the hatchet with his quarterback and was expecting a bounce-back season.

During the opening game of this season, Hill was captured having a meltdown again as the Daniel Jones-led Indianapolis Colts obliterated his Dolphins. Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan believes it has everything to do with Mike McDaniel.

McGenius guy or whatever the hell he is, nerd boy. Their team has no respect for their coach. They play like that. Where’s the physicality of this team? They’re soft, every part of their football team. They have tons of talent on this team. They don’t play with any passion or any smoke to them.

Rex Ryan said on Get Up

The former New York Jets head coach does not believe the Miami Dolphins players respect Mike McDaniel. He might be an offensive wizard, but that does not necessarily lead to respect from players.

Colin Cowherd echoes Rex Ryan’s opinion on Mike McDaniel

These question marks about Mike McDaniel‘s ability as a head coach started last season. But most of it was overshadowed by Tua Tagovailoa’s concussions and retirement rumors. After the blowout loss to the Colts, Colin Cowherd asked that question again.

The Miami Dolphins are cooked. I said two years ago, Mike McDaniel’s clever, he can be funny, I think he’s a great offensive mind. But is he a leader of men?… Head coach is a CEO; it’s not just a playcaller.

Colin Cowherd said on The Herd

The veteran analyst referred to some comments by defensive players wherein they questioned the direction the franchise was taking. The focus was primarily on offense, and without a stout defense, the team will end up getting blown out.

Losing to a Daniel Jones-led offense was one thing. But getting blown out when Tagovailoa and the offense struggled to get past the midway point for more than half of their drives is a major concern.

Mike McDaniel on hot seat after Game 1

After this blowout game, there is not one analyst or fan who has not thought about Mike McDaniel’s job. They all believe the 42-year-old might not last the season if this continues.

Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa
Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa (Image via Imago)

Forget the season, their schedule until their Week 12 bye will see them face 4 playoff teams and 5 who are playing better than what their result in the opening showed.

If all hell breaks loose, the Miami Dolphins could end up losing quite a few games. That could spell the end of McDaniel’s regime as the ownership might lose patience if such blowouts become the norm.

If they at least put up a fight, there is a chance the Yale alum could keep his job until the end of the season. The only worry is that by then the Dolphins’ situation might force Tyreek Hill to seek a trade.

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