Why Mike McDaniel keeps faith in Dolphins despite defensive overhaul
MIAMI — Don’t talk to Mike McDaniel about expectations.
The Miami Dolphins’ third-year coach has led his team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons but has yet to capture the franchise’s first postseason win since 2000. After paying big for star talent such as wide receiver Tyreek Hill, defensive end Bradley Chubb, offensive tackle Terron Armstead and defensive back Jalen Ramsey over the past two seasons, the bill came due this offseason as several Miami free agents signed elsewhere.
Starters such as defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and guard Robert Hunt signed massive contracts with the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, respectively, while key rotational players in linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, defensive tackle Raekwon Davis and safety Brandon Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, respectively. Miami also released veterans in linebacker Jerome Baker, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and cornerback Xavien Howard, leaving last season’s 10th-ranked defense in need of restructuring.
The Dolphins have done that through the first couple weeks of free agency. But until they take the field, it is difficult to tell whether they are better off after parting ways with so many players.
Due to the losses, there is a belief that the 2024 season will be a reset year. But McDaniel says the expectations for the Dolphins will be as high as ever.
“I can tell you one thing: Every single player that was on the team last year and the year before, and every single player that we’ve added this offseason, and every single coach that we’ve added this offseason, their expectations are to help fulfill goals unaccomplished,” McDaniel said at the NFL’s annual meeting this week. “There’s been zero time spent thinking anything less bold or less aggressive than the way we approach every season.”
The Dolphins’ transition first began in February, when they mutually parted ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio after one season and hired former Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver.
But additional changes were necessary, considering Miami was roughly $50 million over the salary cap prior to free agency. Baker started 82 games for the Dolphins since 2018 and was productive throughout his six-year career with the team. Ogbah’s production over the past two seasons didn’t match the $65 million contract he signed in 2022, but he put together consecutive 9-sack seasons in his first two years in Miami.
Moving on from them saved roughly $25 million against the 2024 salary cap, and moving on from Howard represents another $18 million in savings once his post-June 1 release hits the books.
