ESPN insider reveals big update on Dolphins' Mike McDaniel's job status

ESPN insider reveals big update on Dolphins' Mike McDaniel's job status originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins, the week before the NFL trade deadline, looked like a team heading towards a fire sale and massive, sweeping changes to the organization in the next year.

Chris Grier was fired, and Mike McDaniel remained on the hot seat despite having a secure job for the rest of 2025. However, in the weeks since, the Dolphins have bounced back, and now, while not in the payoffs, are in a much better spot.

While McDaniel's status is still up in the air, ESPN insider Dan Graziano revealed that he might not be in such a precarious spot anymore.

Mike McDaniel is on track to save his Dolphins HC job

"Interesting bit of buzz as we approach the head coach hiring cycle: There are a number of people in the league who think Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel could be saving his job with a strong finish," Graziano writes.

After Grier was fired, McDaniel was widely perceived as a lame-duck head coach. And with the brutal loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Miami was just 2-7. But in the weeks since, things have turned around.

Miami has rattled off three straight wins, including an incredible 30-13 blowout of the Buffalo Bills. Combined with a quality overtime win over the Washington Commanders and a 21-17 win over the New Orleans Saints, the Dolphins are now 5-7.

While their playoff hopes are still alive, this second-half resurgence isn't about making it to the playoffs. What these wins are doing is saving McDaniel's head coaching job.

More: ESPN insiders reveal Dolphins plan with Mike McDaniel amid winning streak

Those around the league believe the Dolphins' winning streak, and the reaction from the players, have made McDaniel's status in Miami change in the last four weeks.

While they only played three games in November, the Dolphins went undefeated. Their play under McDaniel, since he was rumored to be on the hot seat, has been spirited.

Thanks to this resurgence and the lack of great head coaching options available this offseason, the Dolphins are trending towards keeping McDaniel for at least one more year.

Nothing is official, and there won't be a decision made until the offseason, but for now, McDaniel is in a decent spot to keep his job coaching the Dolphins through the 2026 season.

Last week, this sentiment rang true, and after another win, McDaniel's momentum in keeping the Dolphins job only grew.

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