Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses decision not to add outside help, other issues
The Dolphins knew early this season that they couldn’t stop the run and their defensive line was deficient. So why didn’t they try to address it via free agency (Christian Wilkins?) or a trade earlier in the season, before Miami sank to 1-5.
I posed that question to Mike McDaniel on Wednesday, and here’s what he said:
“If your first quarter of the season, if you took the results of that game and mandated that it was an absolute that the players that did what they did that day, that that is who they are forever, we would miss out on a lot of major players in the league that are growing as a young player.
“You are taking a snapshot of what that was conceivably, what can you coach and improve with the player. Are there things they are unable to do with coaching? And match that up with what’s available to you.
“Just because you’re not active doesn’t mean you’re complacent. The easiest answer is grass is greener, but you have to really focus on what are they able to do, how can they adjust, with the thought of their best stuff is better than what we extrapolate is available. It’s our job to try to get them to do our best stuff.”
Former Dolphins player Wilkins is the best available, but McDaniel hasn’t directly answered when asked why the team would not call him and see if his foot is healthy a year after an injury.
McDaniel correctly noted that “the run defense wasn’t exclusively at one position. It’s the bigger gains that have really eaten up the clock on first downs. That has to do with all three levels.”
He said the run defense improved against the Chargers, though Miami still permitted 5.9 yards per carry, which is too high.
The Dolphins likely erred by not re-signing Calais Campbell, who took a one-year deal with Arizona that will pay him $4.5 million guaranteed with another $3 million in incentives.
McDaniel was asked how fair it is to say that Campbell is missed.
“He’s a very good player that provides a lot of things,” McDaniel said. “Each team is unique to their own. I have a lot of positive things to say about him.... He’s a good player. I liked having him on our team.”
McDaniel addressed other issues as the Dolphins prepared for Sunday’s game at Cleveland (1 p.m., CBS-4):
▪ Asked if there are any lingering issues regarding Tua Tagovailoa’s comments about players being late or not showing up to players-only meetings: “The first, last and only thing if I have anything to say about it — and I did in several meetings today — is the Cleveland Browns and our focus in that regard. There are much bigger fish to fry.”
▪ Rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea allowed another sack against the Chargers and remains among the lowest-graded guards in football, per Pro Football Focus.
Asked if left guard will be an open competition or if he wants to stick with Savaiinaea as a starter, McDaniel said: “You noticed the play he would want back. Outside of that, he probably had his best technique game. It’s very fluid. Players are challenged to improve, and that process needs to occur or you evaluate other options. It is of primary importance that our best coaching is done through improvement of failure. That takes investment and mutual ownership.”
▪ McDaniel, who is 29-30 as Dolphins coach, was asked how he views the McDaniel era.
“I’m not in the mind-set of reviewing eras,” he said. “My job title doesn’t lend anyone to benefit from me reflecting. I have problems to solve. My job is a problem solver quite literally.”
▪ McDaniel reiterated that he expects linebacker Tyrel Dodson to exit concussion protocol shortly.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 11:33 AM.
