Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was tired, and it showed. No media obligations post-2025 NFL trade deadline suggested otherwise. This time, however, brought to light the team’s lack of action when it comes to making impactful trades. The Dolphins, who at that point were sitting on a miserable 2-7 mark to the season, opted to make the least amount of waves possible. The biggest move was trading backup outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick.
The Dolphins had just been through a “weekend of reflection” after being beaten 28-6 by the Baltimore Ravens. This loss raised a lot of eyebrows about what the team is doing, and where they could be going in the coming years. Despite the challenging circumstances, McDaniel emphasized his focus on the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills, reinforcing the need for the team to concentrate on execution rather than speculation about trades.
“But to be honest, you have a team playing a division opponent that we very much are familiar with and are eager to position ourselves to put our best performance out there and compete against these guys.” – Mike McDaniel
This decision to not pursue further trades had many fans and analysts scratching their heads over the franchise’s plan. The Dolphins recently parted ways with longtime general manager Chris Grier, promoting Champ Kelly to interim general manager just four days before the trade deadline. This sudden shift in leadership has caused much speculation over the Dolphins’ plans in what most view as a make-or-break season.
The team’s ownership, led by Stephen Ross, played a crucial role in determining the franchise’s direction in the coming months. The Dolphins are thinking about the future, too, with five of their own or acquired picks in the first three rounds of the 2026 draft. Simultaneously, they’re fighting tooth and nail to salvage their existing program.
McDaniel’s thoughts on commanding the locker room provide some fascinating insight to his overall coaching mindset. Like any good team leaders, he said, they need to tread the fine line between honest encouragement and tough accountability.
“As a leader, the challenge is acknowledging the people that are doing a great job … leading by example as well, and then being bold and convicted in things that you don’t want to see anymore and having the courage to speak up on that and holding everybody accountable to that standard.” – Mike McDaniel
While many expected more aggressive moves at the trade deadline, McDaniel indicated that discussions had taken place regarding player transactions but ultimately decided against them. The organization recognized it would save $20 million in salary cap space if a player were released or traded after June 1 next year.
The Dolphins’ key player, Jaylen Waddle, who signed a three-year, $84.75 million extension in 2024, would likely require at least a first-round pick if he were to be traded. Thus, it seems that keeping Waddle amidst trade rumors aligns with the team’s strategy of building for the future while attempting to improve their current performance.
Alec Ingold, acting as a de facto team captain, provided an empathetic understanding of what many of his teammates are going through during this tumultuous time. He described his responsibility for ensuring team morale while holding people to rigorous standards.
All of that is a lot of noise, though, and McDaniel is undeterred, staying locked in on creating the culture needed for stars to be born. He told them that there is “beauty in our struggle … This can’t be overstated, showcasing the importance of individual player recognition, especially in a year where most of the team is struggling.
“I don’t think that helps anything, but I do think there’s a skill to find beauty in our struggle, and encouraging guys that have been playing well and making sure to emphasize those points and kind of widening your scope.” – Mike McDaniel
As the Dolphins prepare for their matchup against the Bills, they hope to turn around their fortunes on the field. One more big game on the horizon will prove a true test for McDaniel and his crew. They are hungry to get back on the winning track and bolster their faith in themselves after an uneven first few weeks.
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