The 2025 season of the Miami Dolphins has taken a sharp and worrying turn. Fueled by aggressive creativity, star power and renewed confidence, what started as a year of high expectations now looks like a franchise’s real-life unveiling.
After a disappointing 31-6 loss to one of the NFL’s weakest teams in Week 7, the Cleveland Browns, head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagore are both facing the harsh reality that their futures in Miami may be over.
A promise that faded
When Mike McDaniel was hired in 2022, his arrival brought an incredible glow to the Dolphins organization. His energy, humor and analytical approach to attack was a stark contrast to the more rigid coaching philosophies of the past. In his first season, he resurrected the career of Tua Tagore and produced an offense that was briefly compared to the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” in the early 2000s.
Dolphins were fast, fearless and entertaining. Tyreke Hill and Jaylen Waddle make defenses difficult, and McDaniel’s game design makes Miami one of the league’s most watchable teams. For a while, it looked like the franchise had finally found both its offensive identity and a long-term head coach.
But football is a game of results. In 2025, that magic has disappeared.
From competitor to crisis
Sunday’s loss in Cleveland wasn’t just another bad game; It was a very disappointing moment. The Browns, who had a 1-5 record and one of the league’s weakest offensive games, scored more than 30 points for the first time all season. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ offensive game – once a model of precision and creativity – looked lifeless.
Tua Tagovailoa completed less than half of his passes, finished with just a 24.1 passer rating, and was benched in the fourth quarter after throwing three interceptions. Freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel, making just his third career start for Cleveland, looked more composed and effective despite his poor numbers. This comparison made it clear how far Tagore’s game had fallen.
Miami fell to 1–6 with the loss, and its only win came against the New York Jets. Statistically and mentally, this team appears to be falling apart.
Criticism of leadership
In the week leading up to the match, the Dolphins were already facing scrutiny when reports emerged that Tagovailoa had publicly appealed to teammates not to show up late or attend meetings. Instead of the team uniting in support of their quarterback, the incident became a public relations headache.
Tagore was criticized, then pressured to apologize, while the deeper problems – lack of discipline and accountability – remained largely unresolved. This confirmed the opinion of many insiders: the Dolphins were a team without a clear leader or direction.
McDaniel, once admired for his innovative thinking and ability to connect with players, now faces questions about his control over the locker room. The creativity that once characterized them has now been taken over by confusion and incoherence.
Fall of Tua Tagovaeloa
It’s sad for Dolphins fans to admit, but Tua Tagore is nearing the end of his career in Miami. Since a series of injuries last season, his performance and confidence have dropped drastically.
On Sunday, his execution was poor, his decision-making was hesitant and his characteristic accuracy was missing. Two of his three interceptions led the Browns to touchdowns – including one that was returned by Tyson Campbell for a pick-six.
The third interception, a fumbled throw from Miami’s own end zone, nearly tied the game and led to a third touchdown for Cleveland running back Quintian Judkins, capping an impressive day on the field.
Tagorea’s struggle is not entirely his fault. The offensive line has been inconsistent, and the running game has disappeared. Still, the NFL is a low-level league, and a quarterback with a 24 passer rating in Week 7 will be under heavy scrutiny.
Reportedly, general manager Chris Grier was in attendance at this weekend’s college matchup between Oklahoma and South Carolina – a matchup that featured two top quarterback prospects, John Mattier and Lanris Sellers. For many observers, it was a clear sign that Miami was already considering its next move at the most important spot.
McDaniel’s chair
Although Tagore’s game remains questionable, Mike McDaniel’s coaching tenure may be the most talked about in football. Their offensive system has stagnated, the team looks unmotivated and disciplinary problems are mounting.
The Dolphins’ defensive front is equally problematic – giving up more than 150 rushing yards per game and showing little or no resistance to opponents, as the weather was bad in Cleveland on Sunday.
NFL insiders predict that owner Stephen Ross won’t wait until the end of the season. Tennessee’s head coach, Brian Callahan, has already been fired this year, and Miami could be next in line for a mid-season change.
With growing discontent within the team and fan frustration at its peak, Ross faces a crucial decision: stick to McDaniel’s long-term vision or admit that the franchise is headed in the wrong direction.
The Big Problem: A Broken Foundation
The Dolphins’ struggles go beyond coaching or quarterback play. Miami’s roster construction and salary-cap management have both come under criticism.
General Manager Chris Greer has been in the position since 2016, and the Dolphins have made the playoffs only three times during that time—all losses. The team’s aggressive trades and expensive free-agent signings, including the blockbuster move for Tyreek Hill, have generated sensational headlines but haven’t yielded lasting success.
Now, Hill’s future is also uncertain. The 31-year-old receiver is battling a serious knee injury, and questions remain about how long he can remain explosive. Without Hill, the Dolphins’ offensive identity is missing, leaving a significant void in McDaniel’s system that has yet to be filled.
Across the League: Week 7 Winners and Losers
Although the Dolphins fell short, Week 7 featured some excellent performances across the league—as well as some other disappointments.
🏆 Winner
Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)
The rookie quarterback delivered one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season. Down 19-0 entering the fourth quarter against the New York Giants, Nix threw two touchdowns and rushed for two more to cap a 33-32 win sealed by a last-second field goal. Denver’s 33 points in a single quarter were the most ever for a team previously scoreless through three quarters.
Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers)
In a gutsy coaching call, LaFleur went for it on fourth-and-2 instead of attempting a game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter. The decision paid off as Jordan Love connected with Tucker Kraft, setting up a go-ahead touchdown run by Josh Jacobs in a 27-23 win over Arizona. It was the kind of bold moment that can reignite a team’s confidence.
CeeDee Lamb & the Cowboys’ Offense
Returning from a high-ankle sprain, Lamb reignited Dallas’ attack with 110 yards and a 74-yard touchdown as the Cowboys dismantled the Commanders 44-22. Quarterback Dak Prescott looked sharp, throwing three touchdowns with no turnovers. The victory pushed Dallas back above .500 and restored optimism in a crowded NFC race.
Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs)
After serving a six-game suspension, Rice’s return transformed the Chiefs’ offense. Kansas City dominated the Las Vegas Raiders 31-0, earning the first regular-season shutout of Andy Reid’s career. Rice caught two short touchdowns and reminded the league that he’s the perfect red-zone complement to Patrick Mahomes
Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
The Patriots’ second-year quarterback continues to shine. Maye completed 21 of 23 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns while adding 62 rushing yards in a convincing 31-13 victory over the Titans. With a 5-2 record, New England remains atop the AFC East — and Maye looks like the franchise’s long-term answer under center.
Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears Offense
Under head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears showcased their best rushing performance of the season, defeating the New Orleans Saints 26-14. Running backs D’Andre Swift (124 yards) and Kyle Monangai (81 yards) powered the ground game while the defense forced three turnovers. For a rebuilding team, it was an encouraging step toward balance and identity.
❌ Defeated
Los Angeles Chargers’ Playoff Hopes
A few weeks ago, the Chargers’ 3-0 start had fans dreaming big. Now they have lost three of four, including a 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, in which Jonathan Taylor scored three touchdowns. With the Chiefs returning to form, the Chargers’ path to the playoffs is rapidly diminishing.
Opponents of Jalen Harts
After two consecutive losses, critics have questioned Harts and the Eagles’ offense. He responded with a perfect passer rating of 158.3, throwing three touchdowns in a 28-22 win over the Vikings. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith’s chemistry was as strong as ever, reminding everyone why Philadelphia remains an NFC powerhouse.
Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields (New York Jets)
It was a difficult start for first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, whose Jets fell to 0-7 after losing 13-6 to the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Justin Fields was benched at halftime after another poor performance (46 passing yards), and the team’s offensive play remains among the worst in the league. Glenn was spared immediate suspension, but the situation appears dire.
Trevor Law