The Miami Dolphins had a chance to make a statement to start the 2025 season. Miami went on the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts and prior to kickoff the game was basically a pick'em with Miami favored by one-point. Many criticized the Colts' decision to start Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson.
But Indianapolis relied on its offense and defense for a dominant first half against the Dolphins. After a bad showing by Tua Tagovailoa, Miami was down 20-0 at halftime. Tagovailoa threw another interception coming out of halftime, and it didn't get much better the rest of the way for Miami. The Dolphins ended up losing 33-8, and they decided to bench Tagovailoa to prevent him from getting hurt in the blowout loss.
Miami started the 2025 season with a win total line of 8.5. They were projected to once again finish in second of the AFC East in a close race with the New England Patriots chasing the Bills. The lack of success and ground made up with Buffalo during his tenure had Mike McDaniel on the hot seat entering the season. The Week 1 blowout loss to the Colts, doesn't help his case.
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Here is more on if McDaniel will get fired by the Dolphins following awful Week 1 showing.
Will the Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel?
McDaniel was hired by Miami ahead of the 2022 season. He was known for his offensive playcalling and a quirky attitude. That kind of difference can fly much more easily when the team is winning. They went 9-8 in 2022 and followed it up with an 11-6 season in 2023, finishing second in the AFC East and getting bounced in the Wild Card playoffs in both seasons. Miami took a step back in 2024 with an 8-9 record.
With NFL franchises demanding results from their head coaches, McDaniel was included on many analysts' coaching hot seat lists, needing to have a great season. The embarrassing loss in what many would have considered a very winnable game only heats up McDaniel's seat as the team didn't seem to make any adjustments in the blowout loss.
The fall from an 11-6 team in 2023 to an 8-9 team in 2024 looks on paper like it is only a difference of three games, but the stats tell a different story.
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Total Offensive Yards | 401.3 (1st) | 325.4 (18th) |
| Points Per Game | 29.2 (2nd) | 20.3 (22nd) |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 265.5 (2nd) | 219.8 (15th) |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 135.8 (6th) | 105.6 (21st) |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 23.0 (11th-most) | 21.4 (10th-fewest) |
| Total Yards Allowed Per Game | 318.3 (10th-fewest) | 314.4 (4th-fewest) |
While McDaniel and the Dolphins were able to turn around their defense, the offense took a huge step back. With the Colts winning every stage of the Week 1 contest, it is a bad start to the 2025 campaign. The Dolphins will be home in Week 2 against the Patriots, on the road in Week 3 against the Bills and then back home in Week 4 against the Jets.
If Miami starts the season 0-4 with three straight divisional losses? The Dolphins' front office could certainly make the call to fire McDaniel.
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Dolphins upcoming schedule
Here is a look at the Dolphins next five games.
| Week | Opponent |
| 2 | vs. Patriots |
| 3 | at Bills |
| 4 | vs. Jets |
| 5 | at Panthers |
| 6 | vs. Chargers |