The Miami Dolphins were on a four-game winning streak, and things looked to be on the upswing. But after a brutal Monday Night Football loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, things came crashing down.
They were officially eliminated from playoff contention, and Tagovailoa was benched for a rookie, Quinn Ewers, and the future of Mike McDaniel in Miami came back into question.
Miami is facing two tricky decisions this offseason with McDaniel and Tagovailoa. NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero highlighted those issues and how neither decision has been made just yet.
Dolphins have tricky Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa decisions to make after 2025 season
"The Dolphins face major organizational decision on several fronts: Do they bite the bullet and release Tagovailoa?" Rapoport and Pelissero write, "Do they go into a deeper rebuild by trading other assets in the coming months? And who will take over as GM to navigate it all?"
While those are all important issues the Dolphins will need to address at some point after the 2025 season comes to a close, there's another important decision that the Dolphins must make with McDaniel.
"First, owner Stephen Ross must decide the fate of McDaniel, who still has a winning record (34-31) and two playoff appearances in four seasons." Rapoport and Pelissero write. "Ross has long been a believer in McDaniel, and last year extended his contract through 2028."
More: Tua Tagovailoa's contract looks like a nightmare for the Dolphins
The Dolphins' four-game winning streak in the second half of the 2025 season might've been what saved McDaniel's job for the 2026 season. Tagovailoa was benched and is likely done in Miami.
While the Dolphins might not release or trade him, letting him sit on the bench instead, Tagovailoa won't be a factor in the future plans of the Dolphins.
McDaniel, on the other hand, might be. This is a huge decision for the Dolphins to make, as Ross and the Miami organization will need to decide what to do with McDaniel before they make any other decisions this offseason.
No matter what the Dolphins decide, this will be one of the more interesting offseason moves around the NFL. McDaniel and Tagovailoa's futures are of peak interest, and for the Dolphins, are some very tricky problems to solve in the coming months.
More Dolphins News:
- Mike McDaniel gives bizarre answer for Dolphins' lack of late-game urgency vs. Steelers
- Dolphins can't keep handing Tua Tagovailoa the QB Job after Steelers loss
- Dolphins playoff picture: Updated chances for Miami to make 2025 NFL postseason after Week 15 loss to Steelers
- Dolphins gave up on their playoff chances with head-scratching 4th quarter vs. Steelers
- Steelers vs. Dolphins final score, results: Rodgers throws two touchdowns, Steelers bully Dolphins to stay atop AFC North