The Miami Dolphins and head coach Mike McDaniel agreed to a three-year contract extension on Friday, which runs through the 2028 season. Making a long-term commitment so early in the relationship can be risky, but it could pay huge dividends.
Here are five reasons why going all-in with McDaniel is a good move for the Dolphins:
Early returns point to future growth
Only two seasons into his tenure, McDaniel became the first Dolphins head coach to earn back-to-back playoff berths since Dave Wannstedt in 2000 and 2001. The team has made tangible progress under the 41-year-old, improving from 9-8 in 2022 to 11-6 last season, and behind his innovative offense, the unit jumped from sixth in the NFL in 2022 to first last season.
Committing to McDaniel provides security at HC for the first time in decades
Locking up McDaniel for the foreseeable future potentially offers the Dolphins continuity something they've been searching for since the early 2000s. Wannstedt made it 73 games with the franchise until his firing in 2004, but the following nine coaches to patrol the Miami sidelines lasted an average of 31 games.
Furthermore, if McDaniel finishes his deal, he'll have coached the Dolphins longer than anyone else aside from Hall of Famer Don Shula (26 seasons).
McDaniel's extension is another distraction eliminated
McDaniel's original deal wasn't up until the end of the 2025 campaign, but following his early success, it was slowly becoming the elephant in the room. Now, with the Dolphins' head coach and star players like quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, along with wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, paid and happy, Miami can focus on the winning window that's wide open for them.
Connection with front office can grow
McDaniel's work to orchestrate what happens on the field is an integral part of the Dolphins' success, but being on the same page with the front office is also paramount. According to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, McDaniel has an "especially strong working relationship" with general manager Chris Grier, CEO Tom Garfinkel and cap manager Brandon Shore, much to the delight of owner Stephen Ross.
Now that the group knows it could be together for the long haul, that can boost the already strong bond, which could mean even better things ahead in Miami.
McDaniel has the backing of the players
McDaniel is quirky and sometimes doesn't fit the mold of your typical NFL coach. Still, his techniques, attitude and overall demeanor have earned him respect from the Dolphins roster, especially its star players.
Recently, Tagovailoa ripped former head coach Brian Flores apart for his coaching style, claiming that he ridiculed and talked down while implying that McDaniel tries to encourage and lift up. Meanwhile, in April, during an appearance on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, Hill lauded the third-year head coach for holding him accountable following a rough performance during a 21-14 Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, which he said set a good example for him and the rest of the team.
