Getty Image / Billie Weiss
The stakes are high for the Miami Dolphins this weekend.
They are hosting the New York Jets for a Week 18 matchup with a spot in the playoffs on the line.
That gives enough significance to the game by itself, but now it seems there is even more on the line in Miami.
According to Outback’s Armando Salguero, the Miami Dolphins could fire Mike McDaniel if the Dolphins lose this weekend and miss the playoffs.
#BreakingNews per @ArmandoSalguero of @Outkick – Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier, and Josh Boyers jobs are at risk if the Miami Dolphins lose against the Jets and miss the Playoffs next Sunday 👀 #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/MiOT1bHHmm
— Fins Talk Sports Network (@FinsTalkNetwork) January 4, 2023
Even if the Miami Dolphins lose this weekend and miss the playoffs, firing McDaniel would be a huge mistake. The way the Dolphins’ season has ended up playing out has been a bit disappointing after the way they started the year, but it’s difficult to blame McDaniel for that.
In his first year as an NFL head coach, McDaniel has put together an 8-4 record in games where Tua was available for the duration of the game. They’re currently 0-4 in games where he misses significant time. One of those 4 losses with Tua also came in a game where he threw 3 interceptions after suffering a concussion.
We’ve seen what the ceiling looks like with a healthy Tua and McDaniel as the head coach. This team had weeks where they absolutely shredded opposing defenses and there have been times this year that the combination of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill at receiver was going to be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.
It would be a real shame if the Dolphins decided to fire McDaniel after one season that was decided by injuries to their starting quarterback and he’d likely find another job quickly.