The Miami Dolphins were perhaps the biggest losers across the NFL in Week 1, as they suffered a horrific 33-8 loss at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins were thoroughly outplayed in every facet of the game, and a lot of fingers were pointed at head coach Mike McDaniel after the loss.
The 2025 campaign was viewed as a big season for McDaniel and Miami after the team failed to meet expectations in 2024. That trend continued against the Colts, and with this ugly defeat in the books, one NFL insider is pinning the blame solely on McDaniel, while also implying that he could be on the hot seat moving forward.
Mike McDaniel Put on Blast by NFL Insider
It’s tough to overstate how bad a loss this was for the Dolphins. The Colts entered the new season with an uninspiring quarterback competition between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, with Jones eventually winning the starting job. Given how inconsistent Jones has been throughout his career, the fact that he torched Miami for 272 passing yards, 26 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns in his first game with his new team is quite telling.
Indianapolis scored every time they touched the ball. Meanwhile, the Dolphins could not get out of their own way on offense. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who also has a lot to prove this season, threw for just 114 yards and one touchdown, while also tossing a pair of interceptions and losing a fumble. When considering he has weapons like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane at his disposal, that makes this performance even worse.
Sure, the players have to go out and perform, but they were clearly not ready for what the Colts were going to do this game, and that ultimately falls on McDaniel’s shoulders. After the loss, Pete Prisco of CBS bashed the Dolphins’ head coach, claiming he is very much on the hot seat in the wake of this season-opening defeat.
“Ultimately, it falls back on the head coach,” Prisco said. “Mike McDaniel went in there, he was loosey goosey, he cared more about playing music at the practices, and somebody has a good practice, they can play their music. Woohoo, you wear the orange jersey. Give me a break … The problem is Mike McDaniel, and I think Mike McDaniel’s seat just got really, really hot.”
Is Mike McDaniel on the Hot Seat After the Dolphins’ Ugly Week 1 Loss?
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
McDaniel helped turn the Dolphins’ offense into one of the most feared units in the league in 2023, but his impact seemed to wane last season, making the 2025 campaign very important for him. Based on the first game of the new campaign, his ability to lead this team is very much in question, and he’s going to have to turn things around, and fast.
The idea that McDaniel is on the hot seat is likely accurate. The Colts weren’t expected to win in Week 1, let alone blow the Dolphins out of the water. If McDaniel’s team gets destroyed again in Week 2, he could very well find himself without a job. Miami gets an easier matchup in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, but if the team plays the way it did against Indianapolis, who their opponent is will be the least of its concerns.
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