Miami Dolphins fans are at their wit’s end with the team’s coaching, and more importantly, how they’re being prepared for games. It’s no secret that the team’s disastrous start to the season has put a ton of pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel. Most fans don’t see a way for McDaniel to survive the season, but according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross isn’t ready to pull the plug just yet.
Rapoport recently shared his thoughts on McDaniel’s future, saying that Ross doesn’t want to fire him and genuinely believes in his abilities. Ross has invested a lot in McDaniel, and it’s clear he wants it to work out. However, this isn’t the first time Ross has put his faith in a coach, only to have it backfire. Remember Tony Sparano and Joe Philbin? They both received extensions, only to be fired a year later.
McDaniel has two years left on his contract, with $19 million still owed to him. This could be a major factor in Ross’s decision-making, as he’s already sunk a lot of money into coaches who haven’t panned out. Rapoport pointed out that Ross has been patient in the past, but that can change if fans stop showing up to games or if players start to tune out McDaniel.
It’s unlikely that Dolphins fans will abandon ship, though. They’re emotionally invested in the team, and while they’re frustrated, they still want to see their team succeed. The Dolphins did look better on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough to quell the criticism. For now, it seems like McDaniel is safe, but if the team doesn’t start racking up some wins, his departure could be on the horizon.
Rapoport might be right that McDaniel isn’t going anywhere right now, but it’s hard to see how things can continue like this. The Dolphins need to turn things around, and fast, or else McDaniel’s fate could be sealed. One thing’s for sure: Dolphins fans will be watching closely to see what happens next.
