The Miami Dolphins are 1-6 to begin the year, and are looking at a lost season thanks to the poor start and some major injury issues. Tyreek Hill is done for the year, and there is plenty of drama surrounding Tua Tagovailoa.
In the middle of the Dolphins' rough season, there's plenty of speculation over whether head coach Mike McDaniel should be fired or not. If Miami drops to 1-7 after Week 8, then McDaniel's hot seat will only get hotter. For now, he's still the head coach.
But what would it take for McDaniel to be fired? According to Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer, there are two reasons why the Dolphins should fire McDaniel. Breer highlighted how McDaniel fulfilled those two reasons, and who the Dolphins could turn to if they actually fire McDaniel in the middle of the year.
The two reasons why Miami should fire Mike McDaniel
Breer highlighted two main reasons for the Dolphins, or any team, to fire their head coach.
First, "The coach has lost the rocker room and, thus, the environment isn't a good one for the team's young, developing talent to play in for the rest of the year." Breer's second point is that "The team has a coach on staff that it wants to audition."
For the first reason, the Dolphins have had some strife in the locker room with Tagovailoa criticizing players for skipping or showing up late to non-mandatory meetings.
Overall, there's, as Breer describes, "a lot of noise," but for now, Ross isn't planning to act on said noise.
While the first reason has some noise, but isn't solidified, the Dolphins do fit the bill for the second reason to fire McDaniel. There's one coach on Mimaim's staff who's drawn some head coach intrigue.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is a prospective head coaching candidate, and if the Dolphins want to move on from McDaniel, getting a look at Weaver in a head coaching role wouldn't be the worst idea.
No decision has been made, and with Ross liking both Chris Grier and McDaniel, change might not come unless there's a major reason to make such a change.
Miami is in an odd spot. While McDaniel fulfills both reasons to fire him, Ross isn't expected to make such a decision, as he's stood by McDaniel and Grier.
But McDaniel being fired wouldn't be surprising, considering how the season has started. Even if it doesn't happen right away, his job status is worth keeping a close eye on, especially if the Dolphins continue to lose games as the season goes on.
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