Did Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel troll Bills fans after Sunday’s decisive victory?
People want to know whether coach Mike McDaniel took a victory lap around the Elbo Room.
The image circled on social media channels following the Miami Dolphins’ 30-13 drubbing of the Buffalo Bills. And at a time when artificial intelligence could seemingly put anyone anywhere, it’s worth wondering whether the coach actually took the trip to the Fort Lauderdale beach bar that has become a popular hangout for Bills fans in South Florida.
McDaniel, however, would neither confirm nor deny his presence.
“That’s why I like the good ‘ole days, the throwbacks of yore when you could trust the internet and the images because that’s pretty detailed,” McDaniel said Monday. “I do live in that area but AI right?”
When pressed for clarification, McDaniel remained mum.
“I live in that area, AI is real,” McDaniel quipped. “That’s what I got for you.”
Added McDaniel: “For the record, I did not answer it. That’s the punchline of the humor.”
Regardless of whether McDaniel actually rolled through the Elbo Room, it has to feel good to get such a decisive victory after months of hate from much of the football world. In the last month alone, the fourth-year head coach has had fans fly banners calling for him to be fired, national pundits question his leadership style and even deal with questions about his job security from local media.
“The way I look at this job is I find it very offensive to all parties involved,” If I’m thinking about having a job, I need to be doing my job,” McDaniel said after the 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. “As long as I’m the coach for the Miami Dolphins, they will get everything from me. I refuse to spend my time thinking about something that you have your job, you do your job, and you do it to the best of your ability, and that’s where my concern lies. I think it’s offensive to all coaches, players, and the organization, if I’m spending that precious time thinking about myself.”
A blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons provided a temporary reprieve from the outside noise — that is, until the 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The very next day, the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier parted ways in favor of Champ Kelly. A subsequent trade then sent edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The bottom line: the Bills looked primed for a blowout victory over the Dolphins. That, obviously, happened to be far from the case as the Dolphins pulled out a resounding victory over their archrival Bills, something that had not happened since Sept. 2022.
THIS & THAT
The Miami Dolphins’ most injury-depleted position could be regaining one of its starters this week.
Head coach Mike McDaniel wouldn’t specify which one, but it appears an offensive lineman could be cleared to participate in Wednesday’s practice as the team begins its preparation for the Madrid game against the Washington Commanders.
James Daniels, the team’s top free agent addition, played all of three snaps before sustaining a pectoral injury in Miami’s season-opening loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Daniels, the projected starter at right guard, has been replaced by Cole Strange.
Jackson, who missed most of training camp with a broken toe on his left foot, re-aggravated the injury against the Colts in his return, and got shut down for nine weeks.
Jackson, Miami’s starting right tackle, has been training on the field with the assistance of trainers, doing cardio work, and it appears he could be the first person ready to be taken off injured reserve.
In other injury news, pass rusher Chop Robinson has one more stage to clear before he exits the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot), safety Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps), tight end Julian Hill (ankle), and receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder) should all be cleared to practice this week. The Dolphins held all four out of Sunday’s 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills for precautionary reasons.
This story was originally published November 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM.
