The Miami Dolphins head into Week 18 with a disappointing 7-9 record, facing a challenging matchup against the 13-3 New England Patriots. After a tumultuous season, the Dolphins have decided to start Quinn Ewers at quarterback for their last three games, having benched Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the year.
With Black Monday approaching, speculation is rife regarding the future of head coach Mike McDaniel. With a career regular-season record of 35-32 over four seasons, McDaniel is set to experience his second consecutive losing season after leading the team to two playoff appearances in his first two years at the helm.
NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe provided insight into McDaniel’s situation ahead of the Sunday game. According to Wolfe, while no official decision has been made regarding McDaniel’s job security, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly favors McDaniel and is inclined to seek reasons to retain him rather than move on. Furthermore, McDaniel is expected to hold his end-of-season press conference shortly after the game.
Additionally, the Dolphins are looking for a new general manager following the dismissal of Chris Grier, with NFL legend Troy Aikman brought in to help with this search. McDaniel originally signed a four-year contract, which was extended by three years in 2024 after his successful playoff runs, meaning that a separation from him could pose significant financial implications as his contract extends through the 2028 season.
While uncertainty looms over Miami, the likelihood of McDaniel remaining as head coach seems to be growing amid indications of backing from ownership. The Dolphins will meet the Patriots at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, hoping to end their season on a positive note.