The low point came in Week 7, when the struggling Miami Dolphins fell to a humiliating 31-6 blowout loss against the Cleveland Browns. 

Tua Tagovailoa hit a new low in Cleveland. Just 100 yards passing, three interceptions, and Quinn Ewers benching him. For Mike McDaniel, the walls are closing in. Four years into his tenure, still no playoff wins, and the Dolphins now sit at 1-6.

Albert Breer broke down the situation on The Rich Eisen Show, capturing the mood in Miami perfectly: “I think Mike McDaniel still has some rope to climb his way out of this. But there weren’t great signs in what was a really dark afternoon for them in Cleveland.” He added, “Stephen Ross does not want to fire Mike McDaniel. Still, it does feel like things are heading that way.”

That duality of reluctance versus inevitability defines the tension now pulsing through the Dolphins organization.

Breer went further, painting a picture of a team wrestling with its identity. “A couple of years ago, they were winning, and they had a culture that was a little permissive of the stars… One set of rules for guys like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey, and a separate set for others,” he said. “That works when you’re winning. But when you’re not? There are more questions internally on leadership.”

He mentioned that some inside the building “might like to get a look at Anthony Weaver… as an interim coach” before the year ends. A line that speaks volumes about where things stand.

According to Breer, owner Stephen Ross doesn’t want to make a midseason change. But sometimes it becomes what’s best for the organization long term versus what’s best for the guys running it short term. That’s the kind of subtle hint that suggests the Dolphins might soon opt for stability over sentiment. Ross’s affection for McDaniel, as earlier reported by Ian Rapoport, is genuine. But loyalty doesn’t erase results.

The Dolphins are now at a crossroads. Trade deadline decisions loom large, and the front office must decide whether to salvage the season or prepare for a reset. Trading away contributors could set up a stronger 2026. But also undercut McDaniel’s already shaky position. It’s the eternal NFL dilemma: protect the future. Or fight for survival now. And unless McDaniel engineers a sudden turnaround, the decision on his “immediate replacement,” as Breer hinted, may have already been made internally.

But why is Tua Tagovailoa still the Dolphins’ Quarterback?

Tua’s stats this season cannot be ignored. He is coming off what is statistically the most brutal two-game stretch of his entire NFL career. But even after all that, Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel stepped up to the podium on Monday and firmly declared: Tua is still the guy for the next game.

Tagovailoa’s struggles have reached a breaking point, with 10 interceptions — tied for the league lead — against just 11 touchdowns. His recent performances have fueled concerns not just about execution. But about the team’s overall chemistry. Behind the stats, signs of frustration, distant body language, and reported tension between players, fans, and the coaching staff suggest a deeper disconnect under McDaniel’s leadership.

But irrespective of all the downside, McDaniel is confident. While confirming his decision in the post-game press conference, McDaniel delivered a pointed message that simultaneously backed his quarterback while demanding better results:

“He is going to take the snaps this week. And he is going to be a starter this week. And my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks,” McDaniel stated.

While the starting job is secure, the competition for the backup role is intensifying. Rookie Quinn Ewers saw his first NFL action on Sunday. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 53 yards and will now compete with former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson for the long-term QB2 spot.