There could some extra heat in Miami.
League sources wondered about Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s job security should his team finish the season “badly,” ESPN reported.
The Dolphins (6-7) are on the outside of the playoffs entering a critical Week 15 road game against the AFC South-leading Texans (8-5).
“Again, this is outside speculation from people I’m talking to around the league, rather than anything that definitely will or should happen,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote Wednesday.
“But some have their eye on Miami and wonder whether there’s a change if things end badly this season, though Mike McDaniel did sign an extension in August.”
That last nugget about McDaniel signing a three-year extension in August could prevent Miami from taking any action, but that some are wondering about McDaniel’s future seemingly speaks more to what the Dolphins have done in his tenure rather than a reflection of his coaching this season.
The Dolphins went 1-3 this season with star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sidelined with a concussion — meaning they are 5-4 with him — and likely have an extra win or two had he not been injured.
However, the same criticisms that follow the Dolphins are applicable this season.
The Dolphins are just 1-4 against teams with records above .500, including a season sweep at the hands of the Bills and an unsurprising Thanksgiving night beatdown in cold weather against the Packers.
The Green Bay game stands out since McDaniel’s teams have been considered soft and unable to play in sub-40 temperature and they did nothing to dispel that notion.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks called the team “soft” after the 30-17 loss.
The Dolphins also had a similar underwhelming showing in the playoffs last season when they lost to the Chiefs, 26-7, while playing in frozen temperatures.
Some have wondered about the team’s ceiling under McDaniel, with the Dolphins seemingly able to beat up the dregs of the league but turning into Flipper when they face stout teams.
The Dolphins, on paper, have a great offense with Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, yet they too often struggle when the lights are the brightest.
While they made the playoffs in two straight years under McDaniel, they are 0-2 in those games.
The Dolphins’ next two games could be what determines their playoff fate with the Texans game followed by a home date against the playoff-hopeful 49ers.
Miami closes the season on the road against two of the worst teams in the NFL in the Browns and Jets.
Even if Miami wins out, though, it will need help since it is two games behind the Ravens, Broncos and Chargers, who are all 8-5, for one of the wild-card spots.
