MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he spoke to owner Steve Ross after Sunday’s 27-24 loss at Carolina.
“He was really frustrated just as I was,” said McDaniel, whose 1-4 team hosts the Los Angeles Chargers this week. “We talked about the challenge ahead to get ready for the Chargers. And that was kind of the extent of it.”
Frustration was a theme with the Dolphins on Monday, and it’s been a constant theme this season.
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips said the team remains united, however.
“I don’t think there’s any sort of conflict between players and coaches, so I don’t think there’s any concern where players are pointing fingers at coaches and vice versa that can cause strife in the locker room,” he said.
“There’s obviously internal frustrations with our own play. But at the end of the day, it’s not going to make us lose the locker room just because we’re not playing up to par.”
Players are aware that fans aren’t happy, though.
“With our record there’s no expectation of them to be happy,” wide receiver Malik Washington said.
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Other players say that, respectfully, they try not to devote much time to fan reaction, especially on social media.
“I don’t pay attention to that,” said safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a Dolphins’ 2018 first-round pick who was traded to Pittsburgh before being traded back to Miami this summer. “I learned that a long time ago during my first tenure here.”
Ross issued a statement after last season’s finale saying McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier would be back for the 2025 season but also saying the status quo wouldn’t be good enough.
On that topic, the Dolphins seem headed for yet another season without a playoff win. Their last playoff victory came after the 2000 season, and they have the NFL’s longest drought without a playoff win.
About two weeks ago Ross said he’d be patient with McDaniel this season.
But fan rancor has grown to a level that’s tough to be ignored. Banners asking for Grier and McDaniel to be fired have been flown over both home games this season.
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McDaniel fell to 29-29 (.500), including playoffs, after the Carolina loss. The Dolphins blew a 17-0 lead to the Panthers and had numerous miscues such as penalties, missed tackles and dropped passes. The miscues are a pattern that’s haunted the Dolphins for most of their first five games of the season.
Still, players say they see positive things they can build upon. For example, the defense and special teams have caused five turnovers in the past two games after having none in the first three games. Tight end Darren Waller (eight receptions, 105 yards, three touchdowns) has played well. Left tackle Patrick Paul has been good. Special teams play is on the rise. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (10 touchdowns, four interceptions, 100.1 passer rating) has played better recently after throwing key interceptions in games earlier this season. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had six receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown against Carolina, his first game without fellow wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
Players are trying to stay positive.
“It’s not like we’re just a dumpster fire and that we can’t do anything right,” Phillips said. “I think that we do a lot of good things. We just have to marry those good things together and keep playing complementary football and take advantage of momentum swings and not fold when we’re up, 17-0.”
McDaniel said he sees things on game film that are correctable, so there’s reason to believe things can get better.
“Bottom line is it’s frustrating because there’s a lot of talking and we need to major in doing, and I don’t think anybody wants to hear me talk about it as much as I don’t feel like saying it,” he said. “But it doesn’t change the steadfast reality, which is you have to get better at things or you’ll continue having the same results.”
