Why Tua Tagovailoa's Dolphins' future depends on Mike McDaniel

Matt Sullivan

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Why Tua Tagovailoa's Dolphins' future depends on Mike McDaniel image

The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of a rough 2025 season. After some major struggles to begin the season, Chris Grier was fired to begin an organizational shift.

However, head coach Mike McDaniel isn't out of a job just yet, as he's set to finish out the 2025 season in Miami. But, he could still return for 2026 as well, as Stephen Ross could give McDaniel one more chance.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed some of the background behind the decision for Ross this offseason. Rapoport also revealed why McDaniel's future in Miami could tie into whether quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is returning in 2026 or not.

Why Tua Tagovailoa's Dolphins' future is tied to Mike McDaniel

"Owner Stephen Ross wants him to continue to be the head coach," Rapoport reports. "If that happens (McDaniel stays), there's a much better chance that Tua Tagovailoa, his quarterback, is the quarterback next year as well. These two futures are tied together."

The Dolphins are seemingly, based on this report, either going to bring both McDaniel and Tagovailoa back for the 2026 season, or will move on from both this offseason.

After the Dolphins' impressive win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, the Dolphins' chances of bringing back McDaniel increased significantly.

The future is still uncertain, but things are trending in the right direction for McDaniel and, in turn, for Tagovailoa to remain in Miami.

McDaniel, since becoming the Dolphins' head coach, has a 31-30 record heading into Miami's Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders in Madrid.

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A loss to the Commanders would have McDaniel with a.500 record for the first time since Week 17 of his inaugural 2022 season. But, adding on his two playoff losses, McDaniel has a losing record at 31-32.

Tagovailoa, on a huge $212 million contract, has struggled this season. He has 1,952 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions through 10 weeks in 2025.

The 27-year-old quarterback has struggled a ton this season, and his future in Miami is very much in doubt. But, according to this report from Rapoport, the Dolphins won't be getting rid of him if McDaniel returns in 2026.

McDaniel and Tagovailoa have a lot to play for in the final weeks of the NFL season, and if they can rally the rest of the team and justify to Ross that McDaniel should return, Tagovailoa will also be back for Miami in 2026.

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Staff Writer