Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has been a punching bag for a lot of unsatisfied fans of the team this season. Fans’ frustrations are more than justified, as McDaniel has coached the Dolphins to just a 1-6 record at this point in the 2025 campaign.
While many feel that McDaniel is on the hot seat, one highly accomplished head coach at the highest level made some comments regarding the Dolphins’ leader that paint him in a positive light. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who’s coached his team to two Super Bowl appearances and one title, claimed that McDaniel is “so much smarter” than he is.
🎥 Sean McVay on Mike McDaniel: "His ownership of all things run and pass game, challenged and inspired to want to learn a little bit more… incredibly innovative. He is so much smarter than me!" (@PSchrags) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/n0c8hKMg2y
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) October 24, 2025
McVay also hinted that McDaniel’s rough season in Miami pales in comparison to some of the adversity he’s faced over the course of his life.
McDaniel and McVay spent several seasons together on the Washington Commanders’ coaching staff under then-head coach Mike Shanahan. From the 2011 season through the 2013 campaign, they were co-workers.
McDaniel started out as an offensive assistant coach with Washington and was later promoted to wide receivers coach. McVay spent the entirety of that three-season span as a tight ends coach. He later became Washington’s offensive coordinator.
McVay’s complimentary words about McDaniel may help fans understand why Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wants to give the coach more time to figure things out before making changes. For as much as McDaniel shouldn’t be absolved of blame for how this season has gone, he can’t step on the field, and it’s ultimately up to the players to execute his game plan.
Plus, McDaniel has proven that he can lead highly successful regular-season teams when he has the talent needed. For example, he coached Miami to 11 wins not long ago in the 2023 season, which marked its most successful campaign since all the way back in the 2008 season in terms of winning percentage.
Coaching Miami to a win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday would be a step in the right direction toward McDaniel rebuilding his reputation as a strong NFL coach.
