The Miami Dolphins, at 2-7, are back in the spotlight once again.
After their 28-6 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, the Dolphins mutually parted ways with general manager Chris Grier.
With only a few days until the trade deadline, this decision from the Dolphins is a rare and interesting one. But with Grier on his way out, the speculation immediately shifted to whether Mike McDaniel would remain as the head coach.
Dolphins to keep Mike McDaniel as head coach for rest of 2025
Shortly after Grier's departure, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Dolphins are not parting with McDaniel after Week 9 and will keep him on as the head coach for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
"Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel will remain Miami's head coach for the remainder of the season at least, per sources," Schefter reported.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel will remain Miami’s head coach for the remainder of the season at least, per sources. Pic.twitter.com/2MCImhDSCU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2025
Miami is electing to only part with Grier, who's been the Dolphins' general manager since 2016. McDaniel, who joined the Dolphins as their head coach in 2022, will continue to coach through the rest of the 2025 season.
While his future with the team is far from certain, Miami could decide to keep him if McDaniel can turn things around down the stretch of the season. But if the Dolphins plan to sell off a lot of their assets at the deadline, which seems more feasible in the wake of parting with Grier, then McDaniel will have a tough time keeping the Dolphins afloat with a weaker roster.
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McDaniel's Dolphins are 2-7 so far this season through nine weeks, by far the worst Miami has looked during his tenure as head coach. Previously, his 2024 season at 8-9 was the worst his team has done in the NFL.
The Dolphins' best year was in 2023, when they went 11-6, which featured Tyreek Hill and the offense putting up incredible numbers. McDaniel's offense also put together a stunning 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos.
While Miami has typically had good offenses under McDaniel, this season, Tua Tagovailoa has struggled, Hill is out for the year and the offensive line has been shaky at best.
McDaniel being fired wouldn't have been a surprise, but instead, the Dolphins are electing to keep him as the head coach for the rest of the season. He could still be fired after 2025, but for now, the Dolphins are holding onto McDaniel.
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- Why Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa's left eye is swollen in Week 8 vs. Falcons
- De'Von Achane could get less work as Dolphins plan to get Jaylen Wright involved