The Miami Dolphins lost to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. A loss in the NFL happens. A 31-6 loss to another 1-5 team is on a different level. The Dolphins were embarrassed throughout the afternoon, with the offense unable to put together a touchdown scoring drive, the defense unable to keep the Browns out of the endzone, and the special teams turning the ball over. All three aspects of the team played like a team that has given up on the season.
On Monday, a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicated the Dolphins are not making any major changes despite the 1-6 start to the year and the embarrassment that happens week after week on the field. Speculation continues to swirl that Miami could make a change by firing head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier. It seems as though both will be employed for at least another week.
The Dolphins play at the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday as the NFL calendar moves to Week 8. They then immediately turn around to face the Baltimore Ravens at home in the Thursday Night Football kickoff to Week 9. The Dolphins remain in Miami in Week 10 to close out the annual home-and-home series with the Buffalo Bills. They then head to Spain to face the Washington Commanders in Week 11 before they have their bye week in Week 12.
McDaniel said after the game he is not against making changes to the roster, stating, “There’s a lot of guys that will have an important work week because if you are negatively affecting the football team routinely, I don’t have a choice but to assess a different player and I have to coach a lot better and we’re going to find out what we’re made of.”
He continued, “We’ll watch the tape and change our style of play if we to. Everything is on the table.”
For at least another week, it appears changing head coaches has been taken off the table.