After their dismal 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, the Miami Dolphins found themselves with the dubious distinction of being the lowest-scoring team in the NFL.
Perhaps most importantly, the slow start continued a trend that began late last season, a trend that raised questions about whether opposing defenses had unraveled the Dolphins’ offense and figured out how to stop it.
Counting their final three games of the 2023 regular season, their playoff loss at Kansas City, and their 2024 games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Seattle Seahawks, the Dolphins are averaging 13.6 points per game and have three (of seven) ). ) by ten points or less.
Naturally, a lot of questions are being asked, and not all of them have to do with the quarterback position and Tua Tagovailoa’s recent concussion in Week 2.
One of those questions is whether McDaniel has considered relinquishing his playing duties, which he has handled throughout his tenure as the Dolphins’ head coach.
McDaniel always answers questions carefully during his media sessions, but he was more measured than usual when addressing the topic.
“I think I’m veteran enough in the NFL that I expect to randomly ask those types of questions when your production isn’t anywhere near what anyone wants,” McDaniel began. “So I think it’s important as a head coach and a leader to take accountability for all the decisions that are made and then, you know, what if we had a lot of downs that were horribly timed to play calls that the players just made, right? I think you have to … Not only am I making that assessment, I think it would be highly irresponsible if I pursued the results.
“So I think every time I talk about the games, I do so de facto in light of the fact that I think this is what’s best for the team. The game is not about me. That’s first and foremost. The cost of TV packages to watch the games would be much lower if people They try to watch me. By nature I take responsibility seriously and every time I talk about the game, it is based on doing what is best for the team and the second…I will not hesitate to change this action because it is my decision and I will change it immediately if I think someone else gave the team a better chance To win, so in the end, you have to be fully responsible for every decision you make, and I know what the results could be anyway, and I completely accept that.”
Based on how McDaniel talked about calling plays early in his Dolphins tenure, it’s here that it will take a lot of time for him to voluntarily relinquish that role. It also doesn’t fit GM Chris Grier’s profile or owner Stephen Ross’ profile to ask McDaniel to relinquish that role, though all bets may be off at some point if offensive results continue to be disappointing.
One thing is certain: If McDaniel relinquishes playing duties, there will be no shortage of options as a replacement.
We can start with offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who has teamed up with McDaniel for the past two seasons. Smith was also the run game coordinator for the LA Chargers in 2021. However, he has not had full play-calling responsibilities since 2009, when he was the offensive coordinator at Butler University.
Then there’s quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, an offensive coordinator for four different NFL teams, most recently the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.
Associate head coach/running backs coach Eric Studesville also served as the running game coordinator and co-offensive coordinator (with George Godsey) for the Dolphins in 2021.
Based on credentials, Bevell is the logical choice here.
But that’s only if you make the switch, and again, we consider that a very bad thing. But the calls for it and the questions about it certainly — as McDaniel is keenly aware — will continue to arise if the offense doesn’t turn things around.
