NFL Analyst Has Burning Question For Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel

Mike McDaniel has been the head coach of the Miami Dolphins for the last two seasons. He has had a successful tenure to this point, helping the team find some success.

In Year 1, the team went 9-8 despite quarterback Tua Tagovailoa starting only 13 games and being injured in a few. With a healthy Taogvailoa under center in 2023, the team improved to 11-6.

In both years, the Dolphins were able to make the playoffs. It is the first time they qualified for the postseason in consecutive years since the 1997-2001 seasons.

Mike McDaniel deserves a lot of credit for helping turn things around so quickly. His offensive scheme has been incredible, as the front office has gotten him players who fit perfectly.

If the Dolphins could figure things out defensively, they would be bonafide Super Bowl contenders. This is partly why one NFL analyst is questioning Mike McDaniel.

During a recent segment of The Carton Show on FS1, the Dolphins were the topic of discussion. All of the attention has been on Tagovailoa, who is hoping to sign an extension this offseason.

Some people believe that 2024 is a make-or-break campaign for the former first-round pick. But, Craig Carton is starting to wonder why all of the pressure is falling on Tagovailoa’s shoulders and not on Mike McDaniel.

“In Miami, I’m not saying that Mike McDaniel’s on the hot seat, but at what point does his genius equate to winning a playoff game? When does that happen?” Carton said in a segment earlier this week.

Heading into Year 3, Mike McDaniel certainly isn’t on the hot seat. But, pressure is mounting for him to lead the Dolphins to more than just regular season success.

The franchise has not won a playoff game since the 2000 season when they were victorious in the Wild Card round. That is a very long drought, one that Mike McDaniel can get even more security for ending sooner rather than later.

For all of the Dolphins success on offense, their defense has left a lot to be desired. They have ranked 24th and 22nd in points allowed under Mike McDaniel, and 18th and 10th in yardage allowed.

They are going to have to do better than that to find postseason success. There is only so much Tagovailoa and the offense can do if they are getting zero support from the defense.

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