The Miami Dolphins finished the season with a 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots. The Dolphins got off to a slow start as they allowed two consecutive touchdown drives by the Patriots’ offense that put them in a 14-0 hole. The Dolphins then reeled off 10 straight points before struggling in the second half.
They were outscored 21-0 in the second half. Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers was unable to finish the game as he suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter. In his third and final start of his rookie season, the seventh-round pick went 16-for-23 with 137 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His 137 passing yards marked the fewest in any of his starts. Ewers ended the season going 55-for-83 with 622 passing yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Following the season, McDaniel was asked about Ewers’ performance. He said, “Quinn Ewers did a great job in his three games.”
Miami Dolphins Reveal Head Coach for 2026
With the Dolphins having their second consecutive losing season and extending the NFL’s longest playoff win drought, questions arose about McDaniel’s job security. Following the season, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Mike McDaniel is expected to return for the 2026 season.
In Mike McDaniel’s end-of-year press conference, it seemed as though McDaniel had already had it made clear that he was returning. Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson said, “McDaniel says many things that suggest he’s staying.” Some of the things McDaniel said that seemed to indicate that he’s staying include him saying, “we are in the process of identifying” regarding the team’s general manager search. It had not been reported that McDaniel would be involved in the team’s search for the new general manager. However, despite being involved, McDaniel clarified that he would not be the one in charge of hiring the new general manager. NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman was hired by the Dolphins to consult in their general manager search.
When asked where he needs to improve next season, McDaniel said, “I need to be better” and he has worked to be “shorter and crisper to a point and minimizing some of the variables and trimming the fat to certain messages to players.”
Dolphins Unveil Plans for 2026
Prior to the Dolphins regular season finale against New England, NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe revealed that Miami was planning to bring in a quarterback to create some competition for the 2026 starting job.
Head coach Mike McDaniel was asked if the team’s starting quarterback was currently on the roster. He said, “I wouldn’t close the door on that. There are a couple of options I could see.” Among those options are the previously mentioned Quinn Ewers, who impressed McDaniel in his three-game audition. Former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is still on the roster, but he expressed wanting a “fresh start” after the team benched him during the season. Additionally, they signed rookie quarterback Cam Miller off the Las Vegas’ practice squad.
McDaniel also added that despite back-to-back losing seasons, he doesn’t see the team undergoing a full rebuild.
Dolphins Reveal Future at Head Coach