The Miami Dolphins sit at 6-9 after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, which means they have guaranteed their second consecutive losing season. Another loss would represent Miami’s worst season under head coach Mike McDaniel.
It’s been Miami’s most turbulent season under McDaniel already, as he made a quarterback change for the first time as Dolphins head coach. The season has also seen the firing of long-time general manager Chris Grier after the team’s 2-7 start. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that despite some previous reports, head coach Mike McDaniel’s future with the organization has not been decided and the team could still opt to move on from him.
Another Dolphins coach has also been in the news recently; however, unlike McDaniel in this instance, it’s for a potential head coaching role with another team. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had some interviews after last season to become the head coach of different organizations, and it seems like he’ll make the rounds once more.
Former Dolphins Player Speaks Out Against Anthony Weaver
A player who likely won’t be an advocate for his former defensive coordinator is safety Jordan Poyer. The former All-Pro safety arrived in Miami prior to the 2024 season after spending the majority of his career with division rival Buffalo. Recently, Poyer spoke with Ty Dunne for the Go Long newsletter about his time in Miami, where he said “I felt alone on the field. It’s one of the worst feelings. You’re out there having to guard everything. I didn’t understand our defense. Nobody understood our defense.
I can understand concepts of how an offense is trying to attack us — but if I don’t know where the guy next to me knows where he’s supposed to go? It’s draining. It took a lot out of me. Mentally, physically, emotionally.”
Poyer started 16 games for the Dolphins as Miami finished with the ninth-best defense in points per game allowed. Despite this, Dunne described Poyer’s time in Miami as a ‘disaster.’ Regarding his own level of play with Miami, Poyer had previously said “I didn’t play as well as I wanted to play. It was just a really tough year transitioning from Buffalo to Miami.”
Current Dolphins Defense
This year, the Dolphins defense took a step back from their top-10 unit. They’re currently 22nd in points per game allowed and have faltered down the stretch as they allowed 28 points to the Steelers and then 45 points to the Bengals. Regarding their play and overall team construction, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver spoke out against the way the team was assembled, saying “I think whatever we assemble as a group defensively, we need an opportunity to grow earlier… but we need to start to get that ball rolling earlier than August.”
Prior to the season, the Dolphins signed cornerback Rasul Douglas a week before their Week 1 matchup against the Colts. Despite this, Douglas has started 11 games for Miami and been one of the most productive cornerbacks in the NFL. The team also signed veteran pass-rusher Matt Judon in the middle of August. He was released following the Dolphins’ mathematical elimination from playoff contention.
Former Dolphins Player Doesn’t Hold Back on Coach