MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s recent comments about some teammates skipping or showing up late to players-only meetings have already been addressed internally — and that the team’s focus is on fixing its on-field problems, not finger-pointing.
Tagovailoa raised eyebrows after Sunday’s 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, suggesting a lack of accountability and leadership had contributed to Miami’s six-game slide.
“I think it starts with the leadership and helping articulate that for the guys,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “We’re expecting ‘this.’ Are we getting that? Are we not getting that? We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late, guys not showing up to player-only meetings.”
McDaniel told reporters Tuesday that Tagovailoa spoke with teammates both individually and in groups, and the issue is now behind them.
“The first, last and only thing if I have anything to say about it — and I did in several meetings — is the Cleveland Browns,” McDaniel said. “He communicated with his teammates, and there’s much bigger fish to fry.”
The Dolphins’ defensive struggles remain a major concern as the team ranks last in the NFL against the run.
Notably, over the last three games, Miami has given up 199 rushing yards to the New York Jets, 206 yards to Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle and third-string running back Kimani Vidal added 138 all-purpose yards during that stretch, contributing to a 1-2 record.
Asked why the organization didn’t seek defensive line help through trades or free agency, McDaniel said the team believes in developing its current players.
“Just because you’re not active doesn’t mean you’re complacent,” McDaniel said. “You’re taking a snapshot of what that was and asking, ‘What can we coach and improve with the player?’ The easiest answer is grass is greener, but you have to focus on what they can do and get them to do their best stuff.”
McDaniel also addressed the absence of veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who plays for the Arizona Cardinals, calling him “a very good player that provides a lot of things,” though he stopped short of blaming his absence for the team’s struggles.
On the offensive side, McDaniel said rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea remains part of the Dolphins’ long-term plans despite early growing pains.
“I think Jonah had probably his best technique game,” McDaniel said. “The process needs to occur or you evaluate other options, but our best coaching is done through improvement of failure.”
When asked to reflect on his tenure — now 28-29 in the regular season — McDaniel said he isn’t focused on self-evaluation.
“I’m not in the mindset of reviewing eras,” he said. “My job is to be the best head coach for this team, focused on preparation, conviction and detail.”
The Dolphins (1-5) will try to snap their skid Sunday when they visit the Cleveland Browns (1-5), a team led by All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett — a challenge McDaniel said requires “collective focus.”
“It’s no single person’s job when you’re talking about one of the best players in the league,” he said when talking about Garrett. “You prioritize him in the game plan, for sure, while spreading the duty across a group, not an individual.”
Kickoff from Huntington Bank Field is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
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