Miami’s Crossroads: Mike McDaniel and the Fight to Save a Season

The Miami Dolphins are now 0-3 in “franchise” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s 6th NFL season, and the fourth season under head coach Mike McDaniel. 0-3 is not the place any organization wants to be and currently puts the Miami Dolphins in the same boat as the Jets, Saints, Texans, Titans, and Giants. The only team similar to Miami here is the Houston Texans, who hope that they found their guy in C.J. Stroud.

For the Dolphins, this rebuild has failed. The draft capital, the opportunity, the triumphs, and the tragedies have all led to the same story, the “Same Old Dolphins,” the team that holds the second longest playoff win drought of the four major U.S. sports.

Now, for many, this season is a wash, an opportunity for the Dolphins to hit the reset button once again. But for those in the building, it is the last chance to prove their worth and change the narrative surrounding themselves and the Miami Dolphins. Which brings us to the New York Jets and Monday Night Football, where the Miami Dolphins go, depends on that game’s result.

Dolphins Remaining Schedule

Week 4 — vs. Jets (MNF), 7:15 PM
Week 5 — at Panthers, 1:00 PM
Week 6 — vs. Chargers, 1:00 PM
Week 7 — at Browns, 1:00 PM
Week 8 — at Falcons, 1:00 PM
Week 9 — vs. Ravens (TNF), 8:15 PM
Week 10 — vs. Bills, 1:00 PM
Week 11 — vs. Commanders (Madrid), 9:30 AM
Week 13 — vs. Saints, 1:00 PM
Week 14 — at Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 15 — at Steelers (MNF), 8:15 PM
Week 16 — vs. Bengals (SNF), 8:20 PM
Week 17 — vs. Buccaneers, 1:00 PM
Week 18 — at Patriots, 1:00 PM

With a Loss to the Jets

If the Dolphins lose to the Jets, they will be 0-4 before facing an inferior opponent in the Panthers. But at 0-4, would that even matter? Only one team has ever made the playoffs after going 0-4. The 1992 Chargers went 11-1 over their final 12 games. San Diego won in the Wild Card round, 17-0 over the Chiefs, but ended up losing in a 31-0 blowout against the Dolphins in the Divisional Round. If the Dolphins move to 0-4 with the Chargers, Ravens, Bills, Commanders, Steelers, Bengals, and Bucs on deck, chalk the season up and move on to the next. At that point, you explore selling high on assets. Tyreek Hill could bring back serious draft capital from a contender, and others could be on the table as well.

0-4 would bring serious conversations about firing McDaniel. Tua would still likely get the nod.

With a Win to the Jets

In all honesty, a win does nothing except get the Dolphins back on track. A win Monday is expected, but helps the team believe again, and with the Panthers on deck there would be real optimism in turning their season around. With the talent of this team and their backs against the wall, there is no reason that they should not be 4-4 by Week 9 against Baltimore and getting healthy on the offensive line. For the fans, opinions will not change, and they have no reason to until the Dolphins prove their worth against the NFL’s best. Beating bad teams means nothing.

For the Dolphins

At some point, Tua Tagovailoa has to find himself again. The flashes that once made him the unquestioned franchise quarterback have faded into inconsistency, and the Dolphins cannot afford to wait forever. This roster still has enough talent to compete, but Miami needs to lean into what is working. Their rushing attack is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, fourth-best in the league, and it has been the one reliable spark in an otherwise disappointing start.

The Dolphins can either keep trying to force the passing game to define them, or they can embrace balance, protect their quarterback, and play to their strengths. Monday night against the Jets is more than a test of will. It is a moment of truth for Tua, for Mike McDaniel, and for a franchise desperate to escape the shadow of the Same Old Dolphins.