Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel discusses offensive woes, Darren Waller & Jets QBs
As the Miami Dolphins prepare to take on the New York Jets, there’s a belief that the offense has been figured out.
Coach Mike McDaniel, however, begs to differ.
“You‘ll change that narrative with success and execution on assignments,” McDaniel said Thursday morning, explaining that they have to “threaten people with the run” in order to create “opportunities for explosive plays.”
The addition of Darren Waller could potentially help.
Waller had an extensive practice Tuesday, working with the first-team offense as Miami’s move tight end for the first time in four weeks despite a hip injury that flared up during the first week of practice for the regular season. The one-time Pro Bowler, who retired before training camp with the New York Giants last season because he was battling depression and supposedly lost his love for football, is expected to make his debut against the Jets in Monday night’s nationally televised game.
According to head coach Mike McDaniel, Waller will be scaled back this week, which means his participation will be limited leading up to Monday night’s battle of 0-3 teams. But expect him to receive extensive work during Miami’s red zone and third down periods, which will likely occur Friday and Saturday.
“We’ll go back and forth between moderation and full participation,” McDaniel said Thursday. “The situations we’re planning for him, we have a very well planned high-low process so he will do less than he did the other day. But that level is [thoroughly thought out] trying to get him involved in plays he’s participating in.”
The Jets present a specific challenge due to the “standard of effort and intent” under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. And they certainly showed that in the Week 3 when the team overcame a 23-6 fourth-quarter deficit to eventually take the lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before losing on a field goal as time expired. All of this was done with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, who filled for starter Justin Fields.
“They are who we thought they are,” McDaniel said, adding that he has “a tremendous respect for AG and the program that he’s building there.”
On the Jets quarterbacks
Although it’s unclear whether Fields will suit up as he’s still in concussion protocol, the former Ohio State standout will practice Thursday. McDaniel acknowledged the similar skill sets make the transition somewhat seamless.
“I know the guy is going to have a strong arm and an ability to make yards running the football on pass plays,” he said, adding that it requires “every player on the defense responsible for a run game because you have the added player” in either mobile quarterback.
On Patrick Paul
McDaniel had tremendous praise for his second-year tackle.
“If we’re not talking about him then he’s probably doing a good job,” McDaniel quipped, adding that Paul “has developed as much as any player that I’ve been around.”
What happened at practice?
- Cornerbacks Storm Duck (ankle) and Jason Marshall Jr. (right hamstring) didn’t practice, yet the duo did rehab assignments on the side
- The safeties worked on tackling and dealing with a mobile quarterback, something that will be critical regardless of whether Fields or Taylor suits up on Monday.
- Edge rusher Matthew Judon appeared to teach Chop Robinson a new pass rush move
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
