Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses fixing deep shot issue, Waller, Tyreek Hill, kicker
One big key to the season that begins Sunday in Indianapolis (1 p.m., CBS): The Dolphins must regain the explosiveness they displayed in their passing game in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, the Dolphins had 59 passing plays of 20 yards or more, which was eighth most in the league. Last season, they had 37; only the dreadful Giants and Patriots had fewer.
Asked about the drop in big plays immediately after last season, Mike McDaniel said: “We have to take advantage of what defenses are not taking away” when they consistently try to limit deep passes by playing two safeties deep.
Miami did not do that enough, finishing 28th in the league in yards per carry at 4.0 per rush.
As a result, Tyreek Hill’s receiving yardage plummeted from a league-leading 1,799 in 16 games in 2023 (on 15.1 per catch) to 959 in 17 games last season (11.8 per catch).
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Hill and Tua Tagovailoa combined for only two 100-yard receiving games last season — against Jacksonville and the Jets.
Since the start of 2023, the Dolphins are 11-0 when Hill has 100 or more receiving yards and 7-16 when he has 99 or fewer.
On Wednesday, I asked McDaniel whether the deep passing game can be fixed somewhat schematically and how much time he spent this offseason trying to fix this.
“A lot of times the vertical passing game has to do with your pockets, run game, things that have to be on point,” he said. “Defenses are ready to prepare to defend speed. Until we threaten people in different ways, they are going to try to take that away. Much of our focus has been on those throws that you crave and every other aspect of the game.
“Our team likes faster drives and shorter drives as well. It’s all related [with] downfield passing; you have to control the line of scrimmage and give guys a reason to defend space that’s closer to the line of scrimmage. When you do that, things will open up.”
Hill was set to participate in parts of practice Wednesday after missing three-plus weeks with an oblique injury; McDaniel said his return has gone well. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks said Hill looked very good and caught multiple touchdown passes during Monday’s practice.
McDaniel addressed other issues Wednesday:
▪ McDaniel noted that practices “are more meaningful” to the team than a year ago, it seems. “There is a closer intensity to that of a game.”
▪ McDaniel said the team continues to be deliberate with tight end Darren Waller, who will not practice Wednesday but will participate in red-zone and third-down work on Thursday.
“That’s not because of a setback,” McDaniel said of Waller sitting out Wednesday. “We are being very intentional with how we practice with Darren. We have not pressed the threshold of three days consecutive intentionally.”
McDaniel has said that Waller will be able to contribute during Sunday’s game and joked that he will only be used as a blocker. (Waller is best known for his receiving acumen.)
Waller began practicing last week after opening training camp on the physically unable to perform list as he worked himself back after a year in retirement.
“While he adds a significant value to our team, our team feels very strong as we practice without him,” McDaniel said.
▪ McDaniel said kicker Riley Patterson, who will fill in for injured Jason Sanders for the next three weeks, “has given me no reason not to [fully] entrust” him. “He’s done his job outstanding since he’s been here. It’s an NFL opportunity he’s very much deserving of.”
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM.
