MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that he expects to remain with the team while the organization sorts out its quarterback situation and continues its search for a general manager.
“My understanding is that I’m the coach of the Miami Dolphins until told otherwise,” McDaniel said. “I’m not leaning on your NFL Network source, but I think the biggest thing is it’s so important in these jobs to — the job itself is enough. To worry about whether or not it’s yours, that’s not part of the formula.
“We are not happy with the results,” he added. “They’re not up to the standard, so my sole focus is correcting and improving something that’s not good enough right now.”
McDaniel said he will be involved in the general manager hiring process but stressed that the decision ultimately is up to ownership. It was reported last week that Hall-of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman is assiting the team in its search for a candidate.
“I’m going to be a part of the process,” said McDaniel on the current seach for a new general manager. “The main objective is that we have a cohesive crew of people working in the same direction. It’s not my decision to make. We need to improve our football team from the state that it’s in and that will be the first of many processes.”
He emphasized trust and teamwork between the head coach and general manager.
“I would say sole, unequivocal focus on the team over self, people that can trust each other that are highly motivated to do whatever it takes to get the job done. In high-pressure jobs, you really rely on each other’s trust,” he said.
McDaniel also acknowledged that the team will have competition at quarterback next season but stopped short of naming a starter.
“In 2026, I think there will be competition for our starting quarterback,” he said. “Who that is, whether in-house or elsewhere, that’s something we’ll be extremely diligent on. There will be competition for those reins. That much I do know.”
Regarding Tua Tagovailoa, McDaniel said he will meet with the quarterback but indicated that any decisions about Tagovailioa’s future are organizational.
“I’ll meet with Tua tomorrow at 8 a.m. to remove emotions, to have a conversation will be very healthy. Some of these decisions that you’ll want to know ... that’s not a Mike McDaniel decision, it’s an organizational decision,” he said.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who missed most of 2025 with a knee injury, remains in rehabilitation. McDaniel praised Hill’s attitude while declining to discuss his playing status next season.
“I think it’s a long injury process that he’s really taken on the challenge. Any time he’s visible, his spirit has been great, and he’s the same guy — wisecracking jokes at inappropriate times,” McDaniel said.
Hill was previously ranked the No. 1 NFL player in 2024 by his peers, making him the first wide receiver ever to achieve the top spot, but he dropped to No. 47 on the 2025 list.
Hill ranks seventh in Dolphins history with 4,733 receiving yards despite only playing for the team for four years.
Meanwhile, Tagovailoa also spoke publicly about his future Monday, suggesting he would be open to a fresh start even if it’s on another team.
“That would be dope,” Tagovailoa said. “I would be good with it.”
The Dolphins, who finished 7-10 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season, have several major decisions ahead, including the potential release of Tagovailoa and Hill.
Tagovailoa is owed $54 million guaranteed in 2026, while a post-June 1 release of Hill would save the team around $30 million in cap space, according to The Sporting News.
Miami continues its search for a general manager while aiming to break its playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NFL, dating back to 2000.
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