Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, understands game-changing questions

After their dismal 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, The Miami Dolphins had the dubious distinction of being the lowest scoring team in the NFL.

Perhaps more significantly, the slow start continued a trend that began late last season, a trend that raises questions about whether opposing defenses have solved the Dolphins' offense and figured out how to stop it.

Counting their final three games of the 2023 regular season, their playoff loss at Kansas City and their 2024 games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, the Dolphins have averaged 13.6 points per game and have played three games (from seven). ) with ten points or less.

Of course, there are a lot of questions being asked, and it's not just about the quarterback position and Tua Tagovailoa's recent concussion in Week 2.

One of those questions is whether McDaniel has ever considered giving up his game-calling duties, which he has performed throughout his tenure as the Dolphins' head coach.

McDaniel always answers questions meticulously during his media sessions, but he was even more measured than usual when addressing this topic.

“I think I'm a veteran of the National Football League and expect to answer these types of questions at random when your production isn't anywhere close to what anyone wants,” McDaniel began. “That's why I think it's important as a head coach and a leader to take responsibility for any decisions that are made and then, you know, what if we had numerous touchdowns that were terribly timed play decisions that the players just did it, right? I think that's what you have to do… I don't think this assessment is simply irresponsible if I just rely on the results.

“So I think every time I call plays, it’s me de facto I do this with the understanding that it is what I believe is best for the team. The game isn't about me. That is primarily. The cost of the TV packages to watch the games would be a lot less if people tried to watch me. By nature I take responsibility very seriously and every time I call the game it is based on doing the best for the team and the second… I would not hesitate to change this procedure because it means decision is. I would change it in a heartbeat if I thought someone else would give the team a better chance to win. Ultimately, you have to take full responsibility for every decision you make and know what the results might be anyway. And I fully accept that.

Based on how McDaniel talked about calling plays early in his tenure with the Dolphins, the point here is that it would take a lot to voluntarily give up that role. It also doesn't fit GM Chris Grier's profile or that of owner Stephen Ross to demand that McDaniel relinquish that role, although all bets could be off at some point if offensive results continue to disappoint.

One thing is certain: if McDaniel ever decides to retire from playing, there would be no shortage of alternative options.

We can start with offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who has worked with McDaniel for the past two or more seasons. Smith was also the LA Chargers' running game coordinator in 2021. Still, he hasn't had full game responsibility since 2009, when he was offensive coordinator at Butler University.

Then there's quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, an offensive coordinator for four different NFL teams, most recently the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.

Associate head coach/running backs coach Eric Studesville also served as running game coordinator and co-offensive coordinator (along with George Godsey) for the Dolphins in 2021.

Because of the references, Bevell is the logical choice here.

But this is only the case if a change is made, and here too we would describe it as very unfortunate. But the calls for it and the questions about it will – and McDaniel is fully aware – continue to come if the offense doesn't turn things around.