After the Dolphins’ 29-27 loss to the Chargers on Sunday, starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said that some of his teammates showed up late to recent players-only meetings.
“I think it starts with the leadership in helping articulate that for the guy, and what we’re expecting out of the guys,” he said (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe).
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That revelation only furthered the perception of a leadership void in Miami with head coach Mike McDaniel firmly on the hot seat. He seems to be coaching for his job, but the team is not expected to make a change anytime soon, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Just over a year ago, the Dolphins were confident enough in McDaniel enough to sign him to a contract extension. Despite the trending downwards since then, they have not lost faith in the fourth-year head coach, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (h/t Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post).
Still, Tagovailoa’s public comments suggest that there’s some truth to the rumors of behind-the-scenes turmoil. McDaniel’s initial reaction on Sunday was that his quarterback was “sending a message,” but added that the players have delivered on everything he has asked of them. He also said that players-only meetings are “outside of what I demand.”
On Monday, McDaniel had a slightly different tune after hearing Tagovailoa’s full answer.
“After a loss as a franchise quarterback, that’s not the place [to say] that,” McDaniel said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald), characterizing Tagovailoa’s reference to players-only meetings as “a misrepresentation of player orchestrated film sessions.”
Still, the mixed messages coming out of Miami paint the picture of an unsettled locker room in a season that is quickly slipping down the drain. The Dolphins are 1-5 and rank among the bottom 10 teams in total yards on offense and defense, but a softer schedule for the rest of the season may give them a chance to turn things around and save McDaniel’s job.