What’s Mike McDaniel’s future?

McDaniel was not part of Friday’s front-office shakeup with Grier. Sources say the fourth-year head coach, who is 30-30 during his tenure, is staying for the foreseeable future, with the hope that he continues to coach through 2025 and beyond. As has been the case for months, owner Stephen Ross likes McDaniel, respects him, has invested in him, and hopes he’s the coach for the future.

No doubt, McDaniel has felt the ill-effect of the roster Grier put together.

But at the least, McDaniel it appears will have the opportunity to finish strong and state his case to return for the 2026 season. If the on-field product really suffers, however, and the players essentially stop playing for him, changes could be made prior to the end of the season. But it’s safe to say that the organization hopes McDaniel is their coach for the future, believing in him as the key people did while he led them to the playoffs in his first two seasons in 2022 and 2023.

McDaniel has three years left on his contract, signed during the 2024 offseason, beyond this campaign.

How open will Miami be to trades?

The last time Kelly was an interim GM, with the Raiders in 2022, it was after the league’s trade deadline, and he didn’t have the opportunity to execute any deals.

It’s far different this time with the 2025 NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.

Waddle is the biggest piece on offense on the trade block following Tyreek Hill‘s season-ending injury.

Teams previously called Grier and were told Waddle would not be traded. Though now, the 27-year old, who signed a three-year, $84.5 million extension last offseason but carries a low base salary, comes to the forefront with Grier no longer in the picture.

Sources say the Dolphins would at least consider dealing Waddle. It would be expensive, as young stars in their prime are, but not off the table. Something would have to blow the doors off for them to deal him. But, at least, GMs aren’t being pushed to voicemail, metaphorically. With a dearth of pass-catchers available at the deadline, Waddle becomes the hottest commodity.

Miami also has received significant interest in their edge rushers, with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb receiving the most interest. Matt Judon is a player who could be traded, as well.

Phillips is on his fifth-year rookie option, and teams would have to pay the rest of his $13.25 million salary for this year. That’s different from Chubb, who is due $11 million plus incentives this year, though Miami has already paid $7.445 million of that in a signing bonus. Chubb is also on the books for $43.5 million for 2026 and 2027. Both have value (Phillips is younger, Chubb is cheaper).

Expect Miami to make at least one trade prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, but it could be more.