The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday after a disappointing 7-10 season, marking another dramatic shift in the franchise.
The decision signals comprehensive organizational change as Miami seeks its fourth head coach since 2018. With eight NFL teams now searching for leadership, the 2026 coaching carousel has reached unprecedented levels.
The Dolphins face complex challenges ahead, including salary cap constraints and quarterback uncertainty. Tua Tagovailoa’s massive contract creates financial complications while the coaching market heats up with John Harbaugh suddenly available after Baltimore’s shocking decision.
Here’s everything you need to know about the firing and what comes next.
The Shocking Decision That Caught Everyone Off-Guard
McDaniel appeared secure just days before his dismissal, discussing his role in hiring a new general manager.
On Monday, McDaniel addressed reporters and stated that he understood he remained the Dolphins’ head coach until told otherwise. Owner Stephen Ross met with McDaniel on Tuesday to discuss the season. After reflection, Ross decided comprehensive change was necessary for the organization’s future success.
Ross announced the decision Thursday morning, ending McDaniel’s four-year tenure with a 35-33 overall record. The Dolphins made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 but lost in the first round both times. Miami posted consecutive losing seasons of 8-9 and 7-10, missing postseason opportunities and reinforcing organizational frustration.
A Season That Spiraled From Disaster to Disappointment
Miami’s 2025 campaign began catastrophically with a humiliating Week 1 loss that set the tone for months.
The Dolphins were embarrassed by the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener, starting a downward spiral that saw them lose seven of their first eight games. Miami found increasingly creative ways to lose close contests. Despite the terrible start, the team showed resilience by winning five of six games to salvage some dignity.
That late surge ultimately proved insufficient to save McDaniel’s job or change the franchise’s trajectory. The team’s postseason hopes ended in Week 15 after a loss to Pittsburgh. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched for rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers, who started Miami’s final three games as the emergency quarterback watched from the sidelines.
The Tua Problem That Complicates Everything
Tagovailoa’s massive contract creates an unprecedented financial nightmare for Miami’s front office.
The quarterback signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension in 2024, the richest deal in franchise history. Tagovailoa now carries a $56.4 million cap hit for 2026 with $54 million in guaranteed salary. Cutting him before June 1 would create a record-breaking $99.2 million dead cap charge, nearly double Russell Wilson’s previous record of $85 million.
Even a post-June 1 release would cost Miami $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027, spreading the financial pain across two seasons. Trading Tagovailoa appears equally challenging with his massive salary and injury concerns. Teams would hesitate to absorb such a financial commitment for a benched quarterback with durability questions and declining performance statistics throughout the season.
Harbaugh’s Shadow Looms Over the Entire Situation
John Harbaugh’s firing two days earlier has sparked intense speculation about Miami’s coaching search.
The Baltimore Ravens stunned the league by dismissing Harbaugh after 18 seasons and a Super Bowl championship. The timing of McDaniel’s firing immediately fueled connection theories. Sources told ESPN the decision to fire McDaniel would have happened regardless, but Harbaugh’s availability creates an intriguing scenario for Miami’s ownership and front office.
Ross, a notable Michigan alum with ties to the Harbaugh family, could pursue the veteran coach for Miami’s vacancy. The Dolphins haven’t contacted Harbaugh yet, but he will be a candidate for the job. Several teams are interested in the former Ravens coach, making Miami’s pursuit competitive.
A New GM Will Drive the Entire Rebuilding Process
Miami hired Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager just one day after firing McDaniel.
The Dolphins announced Sullivan’s hiring on Friday, bringing in the Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel. Sullivan spent 23 combined seasons with the Packers organization. He will lead the search for McDaniel’s replacement, ensuring alignment between the front office and coaching staff moving forward for organizational success.
The franchise fired general manager Chris Grier in October during the season after 10 years in the role. Miami interviewed four candidates, including interim GM Champ Kelly, Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, and San Francisco 49ers director Josh Williams. Sullivan’s hire came quickly, demonstrating ownership’s urgency to stabilize the organization and begin the comprehensive change Ross mentioned in his statement.
The Coaching Carousel Reaches Historic Proportions
Eight NFL teams are now searching for head coaches, representing 25 percent of the entire league.
The 2026 coaching cycle includes vacancies in Baltimore, Miami, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Arizona, Atlanta, Tennessee, and the New York Giants. The Tennessee Titans and the Giants fired their coaches mid-season. The remaining six dismissals came after the regular season ended. This represents one of the most competitive coaching markets in recent NFL history, with numerous quality candidates available.
Former coaches like Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, and Pete Carroll are drawing significant interest from multiple franchises. Defensive coordinators, including Jesse Minter, Jeff Hafley, and Brian Flores, are also receiving interview requests. The market features both experienced head coaches and rising coordinators, creating diverse options for teams seeking different leadership styles and organizational philosophies.
Miami’s Future Remains Clouded With Uncertainty
The Dolphins face difficult roster decisions with limited financial flexibility and no clear quarterback solution.
Miami must decide on expensive veterans like Tyreek Hill, who carries a $23.65 million cap savings if released, but remains an elite talent. Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick also represent potential cap casualties. The team has 25 pending free agents and ranks 29th in effective cap space entering 2026, creating roster construction challenges.
The Dolphins hold the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft along with three third-round selections, providing some draft capital for rebuilding. However, the quarterback position remains the biggest question mark facing the new regime.
TL;DR
- The Miami Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel after a 7-10 season, ending his four-year tenure with a 35-33 record.
- Tua Tagovailoa’s $56.4 million cap hit and $99.2 million potential dead money charge create massive financial complications.
- John Harbaugh’s firing sparked speculation about Miami’s interest in the former Ravens Super Bowl-winning coach.
- Jon-Eric Sullivan was hired as general manager to lead the coaching search and organizational rebuild.
- Eight NFL teams are searching for head coaches, representing 25 percent of the league in 2026.
- Miami faces difficult roster decisions with limited cap space and 25 pending free agents.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
