Fans booed the Miami Dolphins‘ offense at home during their game against the New England Patriots on Sunday. The crowd left the Hard Rock Stadium in droves after their team started the season 0-2. That’s the first time since 2020. Obviously, fans are unhappy, and it didn’t take long for them to demand the firing of HC Mike McDaniel. And if rumors are to be believed, he could most likely be the first coach to be fired this year.

The Dolphins will next play against Buffalo on Thursday, followed by an 11-day break before hosting the New York Jets. And according to insider Mike Sando’s report, the team’s management may use that window to decide the coach’s future. In his latest article for ‘The Athletic‘, Sando explored the head coach hiring class of 2022 and compared their records to see where McDaniel stood.

Head coach hiring class, 2022 (bold = fired):

The Dolphins coach stands third behind Kevin O’Connell and Todd Bowles in win rate. And he is also one of only four coaches who are still functioning in the role. So, he might have to prove himself while he still has the time. Losing to the Colts (8-33) and the Patriots (27-33) was a bad look, but if the team faces yet another defeat against Buffalo, things will only get worse.

It looks like the HC will need to go back to his early days in Miami. His debut year had ended with a 9-8 record and a playoff berth, earning praise for his creative offense. In 2023, the team surged to 11-6, highlighted by explosive performances, but fell short in the Wild Card round. By 2024, injuries and defensive struggles led to an 8-9 finish, missing the playoffs and raising questions about the team’s direction.

The coach was hired as a creative play-caller known for his softer, player-friendly approach, very different from the tough style of former coach Brian Flores. The hope was that his gentler touch would unlock the full potential of a talented roster. While that approach initially energized the locker room, it also came with risks. Mike Sando points out that it’s easier for a coach to loosen control than to tighten it later. That challenge is now visible.

McDaniel’s team had been ranking 10th in defensive EPA per play since the start of last season. But they are No.32 this season. In fact, the Dolphins are the only group since 2000 to allow points on the first 10 opponent possessions to enter a season. That is something they need to change when facing the Bills. That defensive meltdown highlights how far Miami has fallen from its goals.

The fallout has led to fans calling for McDaniel to be fired. In response, McDaniel said, “I wasn’t spending my time considering what the fans were doing at all. Fans want their team to win, so I figure if we win football games, I don’t think it’s personal. They want to win, and so do I.”

“I think if I worry about my job security, I won’t be doing my job, and I think that inherently is against all things that I believe in.” Now, the team’s owners need to decide if McDaniel’s skills can lead to wins when it matters most. Amid all this, another possibility is gaining traction, one that hints at a possible reunion between the 42-year-old and the 49ers.

Is a 49ers reunion on the horizon for Mike McDaniel?

As Miami considers its options, whispers have grown louder about the potential return of McDaniel to the San Francisco 49ers. For over a decade, he served under Kyle Shanahan and was one of his most veteran and trusted men. League insiders have already begun drawing lines between McDaniel’s tenuous job security in Miami and his former haven in Santa Clara.

In San Francisco, a number of key players, such as Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle, have publicly credited McDaniel’s creativity and leadership while he was there. Shanahan himself has remarked that no assistant he has ever worked with comprehends his system to the level that McDaniel does. If the current Miami coach became a free agent, the match on paper would be a perfect one. However, whether McDaniel would be willing to return to a subordinate role after serving as a head coach remains an open question.

For now, all eyes are on Miami’s next two games. The Thursday night clash with Buffalo and the extended break afterward may define McDaniel’s tenure. The Dolphins’ upcoming decision promises to reshape not only their own future but perhaps the coaching landscape on both coasts. What do you think?