CLEVELAND — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel mentioned he is not desirous about his job safety, even after a 31-6 loss Sunday to the Cleveland Browns dropped his crew to 1-6.
A clearly upset McDaniel gripped each side of the lectern as he spoke after the sport from Huntington Financial institution Stadium, the place the Dolphins continued their worst begin since 2021. When requested whether or not he feels renewed concern about his job standing, McDaniel once more mentioned he seems like worrying can be a disservice to the opposite folks contained in the group.
“The way in which I have a look at this job is I discover it very offensive to all events concerned if I am desirous about having the job — I must be doing my job,” he mentioned. “So, for so long as I coach for the Miami Dolphins and this group, they’re going to get every part from me. And I refuse to spend my time desirous about [my job security] … You have got a job, you do your job and also you do it to the perfect of your potential.
“That is the place my concern lies. I feel it is offensive to all coaches, gamers and the group if I am spending that treasured time desirous about myself.”
McDaniel mentioned he may inform gamers’ frustrations from the season boiled over towards the Browns and allowed a troublesome scenario to snowball.
Miami dedicated 11 penalties for 103 yards within the loss, each crew highs since McDaniel was employed in 2022. It additionally turned over the ball 4 instances, together with three interceptions from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and a fumble by kick returner Dee Eskridge.
“I feel [we] did every part to lose the sport,” McDaniel mentioned. “I feel you noticed loads of pissed off gamers from the season enable it to seep into our play and hold us from executing … a recreation like this, I feel we did not see coming when it comes to our prep however you completely, with 100% certainty, have to judge every part.
“No individual, no participant or no coach has acquired their arms clear, and we’ve to return to work and — beginning with me — do a greater job.”
McDaniel did trace at doable personnel adjustments this week forward of a Week 8 go to to Atlanta.
“There’s loads of guys that can have an essential work week,” he mentioned. “I imply, if you’re negatively affecting the soccer crew routinely, I haven’t got a selection however to evaluate a unique participant, and I’ve to educate lots higher, as effectively. So, we’ll discover out who and what we’re manufactured from.”
McDaniel mentioned whereas there have been “a number of components” in Tagovailoa’s three interceptions, two of them had been “extraordinarily preventable.” He did not counsel a quarterback change, though Tagovailoa was benched within the fourth quarter for rookie Quinn Ewers, who was promoted to backup over Zach Wilson this week.
However he did say Miami will discover all choices shifting ahead, even when which means altering its model of play.
“We are going to watch the tape and alter our model of play if we’ve to — every part’s on the desk,” McDaniel mentioned. “Once you go to a recreation you totally know that you’ve got the potential to win, and get handed a really, very humbling loss, there is no if, ands or buts about it. Guys must be professionals and guys have to step as much as the plate. And each individual on our crew, when you’re saying, ‘It is not me,’ it is you.”
Tagovailoa completed 12-of-23 passing for 100 yards and three interceptions. His 24.1 passer ranking was a profession low.
He mentioned the Dolphins’ operation on offense was subpar Sunday, noting gamers lined up incorrectly out of the huddle, which slowed down their pre-snap course of and in the end the performs themselves.
Tagovailoa is tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions and is on tempo to throw a career-high 24 this season. Sunday marked the third recreation this season through which he threw a number of picks after solely doing so twice in 2024.
The sixth-year quarterback, who signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension in summer season 2024, admitted his play has not been as much as customary this season.
“Positively not pleased, not happy with the place I am at with my play, with how I’ve gone about issues this 12 months,” he mentioned. “I do know I’ve acquired to be lots higher, and I have been higher for the Miami Dolphins years previous — however this is not years previous. That is this 12 months, proper? [I’m] simply attempting to maneuver every part and attempt to construct a set of fellows to form of deliver together with me, and I acquired to have the ability to multitask, if that is sensible? Be capable of try this whereas persevering with to get to no matter it was final 12 months and the years prior for myself to get going once more.”
Earlier than this season, 154 groups within the Tremendous Bowl period began 1-6; solely the Cincinnati Bengals in 1970 made the playoffs.
Linebacker Bradley Chubb mentioned Miami’s locker room stays collectively and believes it is nonetheless doable to show across the season.
“It’ll be arduous,” he mentioned. “However it’s a must to welcome arduous into your life so as to be the place you wish to be. We’ll do the issues essential to get to that and look ourselves within the mirror this upcoming week. Issues need to get modified round quick — and it’ll.”
