“It was very intentional to bring our organization to Detroit and practice against this team based on the football that they like to play.” Mike McDaniel told reporters before practice on Wednesday. The Dolphins head coach wasn’t just talking about joint workouts; he was talking about a calculated choice to test his roster in one of the NFL’s most physical environments. What followed was a practice with strong opinions and a little outside noise that could’ve rattled some coaches, but McDaniel had other plans.

Detroit isn’t exactly known for rolling out the red carpet, and that’s exactly why McDaniel brought his team there. He sees value in the grit and intensity Dan Campbell’s Lions bring to the field. “I love Dan Campbell and his approach. It’s very authentic,” McDaniel said, praising the former Dolphins interim coach. In his view, this wasn’t just a road trip it was a deliberate test. He wanted his players to match that energy, embrace the challenge, and learn how to push through a tough, physical joint practice.

But not everyone was sold on Miami’s readiness. Lions linebacker Grant Stuard didn’t hold back, saying, “I don’t know if they’re ready, I’m gonna keep it a stack.” But McDaniel calmly addresses the noise before the practice with Bears during an interview. “It literally does not affect me, whatsoever,” he said, brushing it off with confidence. Instead of firing back, he flipped the script, noting that comments like these only sharpen his team. “We get the absolute best practice from Grant and everybody else like that, and that makes us better.”

This wasn’t McDaniel dodging criticism; it was him doubling down on his philosophy. For him, joint practices aren’t about scoreboard points; they’re about controlled chaos. “It’s about the football and nothing else,” he explained, adding that adversity in this setting is a good thing. He expects intensity from both sides and sees value in every tough rep. In other words, he’s less concerned about what’s said in interviews and more about what happens between the whistles because preseason chatter won’t win anyone a regular-season game.

Miami’s path this season won’t be easy. The AFC East is loaded with competition; the Bills are always tough, the Patriots have made talented changes, and the Jets are aiming high. On top of that, the Dolphins’ roster has taken some knocks in recent years, making the challenge even bigger. McDaniel’s trip to Detroit could be the tough workout they need to get ready. But taking on the Lions in practice is one thing; facing that kind of fight every week is a whole different game.

Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles put Dolphins and Mike McDaniel under pressure

The Dolphins are entering a season where their roster doesn’t look as strong as it once did, and that could make things tricky for Mike McDaniel. Over the years, the team’s depth has taken some hits, and success has often depended on Tua Tagovailoa staying healthy. As Bears legend Johnson put it, “I’ve always respected him from afar. I know they’ve got a good one there.” He’s not wrong; whenever Tua’s been healthy, Miami’s found itself in the playoff mix.

Tua’s recent joint practice with the Bears, though, showed some cracks. He came in with just one interception in all of camp, but the Bears’ defense made him look less than an elite with three picks in one session. Their plan was simple: crowd the middle and force Tua to win outside the numbers, and it worked. Without Tyreek Hill stretching the field, Miami’s passing game felt tight and predictable, something that opposing teams will surely notice.

That practice didn’t just get fans talking; it caught the attention of teams across the league. If the Dolphins’ offense keeps stumbling, Hill’s trade value could skyrocket. His speed forces defenses to back off and opens lanes for the passing game, giving Tua more room to work. Without him, Miami’s playbook feels smaller, and defenses have less to fear. For a team already facing roster questions, losing that kind of weapon could be costly. It might be the difference between a playoff run and another year on the outside looking in.