Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel expected to return for 2026 NFL Season

For weeks, fans and analysts speculated whether or not the Miami Dolphins would bring back head coach Mike McDaniel after firing general manager Chris Grier earlier in the year. Some reports believed it was a coin flip, while others thought he was coming back for another year based on intel.

No one truly knew, but after hearing of Miami’s interest in six candidates for the vacant GM position, something had to break on McDaniel’s future sooner or later.

Today, during his end-of-the-season press conference, Miami’s HC answered the burning questions about his future and a whole lot more.

First, McDaniel confirmed that he would remain with the team for the 2026 season and play a significant part in Miami’s search for a new general manager. (Note: I have added the word expected to the title because, despite an interview where he very clearly makes it known he’s going to be a part of the process to hire the next GM, NO comment has been made by owner Stephen Ross.)

“My understanding is I’m the coach of the Miami Dolphins until told otherwise… the job itself is enough to worry about, so worrying about whether it’s yours, that’s not part of the formula. I think all of us in the Miami Dolphins organization, especially with ownership, are not happy with the results. They’re not up to the standard. So my sole focus each hour you can reach me in the foreseeable mini hours is correcting and improving something that’s not good enough right now.”

McDaniel, 42, has a career 35-35 record (2 playoff games) since joining Miami in 2022. He says the Dolphins will bring in the ‘best candidate for the job’, saying he could ‘care less whether or not they worked in the same building.“

Still, there are three candidates from San Francisco who have familiarity with Miami’s head coach. And if there’s one thing many of us expected before this entire process kicked off, it is that Stephen Ross would bring in a GM who would play nice with McDaniel. Is that what’s taking place now?

Hard to say, but McDaniel does feel obligated to make this team better, leaving no stone unturned this offseason in trying to improve this once storied franchise.

https://bsky.app/profile/takeittothehoutz.bsky.social/post/3mbpeo5hzwc2o“I think this organization is depending on me to take a hard look at everything… I have to take a hard, consistent look at what’s not good enough because our record of 7-10 isn’t good enough. Missing the playoffs, not good enough.”

Part of that will be finding a new quarterback.

That’s not to say the relationship with Tagovailoa can’t be repaired or that Quinn Ewers can’t be the guy. But McDaniel seems to understand the assignment and plans to do everything he can this offseason to improve not only the QB1 position — but every position on the roster.

“I would not close the door on that by any stretch… I think there are a couple of options… but ultimately, we need to create the most competitive environment possible, and that means looking at all avenues & every position.”

Time will tell whether or not McDaniel’s words hold merit, but for now, he is the coach of the Miami Dolphins and the one leading this franchise’s search for the next general manager. Hopefully, things will be different, but for now, it feels like #TheSameOldDolphins.

What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins retaining head coach Mike McDaniel? Are you happy he will have a significant say in the next general manager? What changes would you like to see made this offseason? Let us know in the comments section below!