Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel Sticking With Tua Tagovailoa

Look, we’ve all been there. Your buddy asks if you’re still ordering the same terrible meal that gave you food poisoning last week, and you respond with something like, “Yeah, but this time I probably won’t throw up in the parking lot.” That’s essentially what Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel did Monday when asked about Tua Tagovailoa’s status for Week 8.

“He’s gonna take the snaps this week and he’s gonna be our starter this week,” McDaniel said, before dropping this gem: “And my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks.”

Ouch. Nothing says “I have complete confidence in my quarterback” quite like joking about him not throwing double-digit interceptions. It’s like your boss saying they expect you to only spill coffee on yourself once this week instead of five times.

The Numbers Don’t Lie (And Neither Does McDaniel’s Sarcasm)

Mike McDaniel’s expectations are simple 😅

(Via @MiamiDolphins) pic.twitter.com/gC8RpFmR1g

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 20, 2025

Here’s the thing—McDaniel’s attempt at humor isn’t entirely unwarranted. Tagovailoa just became the first quarterback since Philip Rivers in 2019 to throw three interceptions in back-to-back games. That’s not exactly the kind of history you want to make.

Against Cleveland’s previously 1-6 Browns squad on Sunday, Tagovailoa completed just 12 of 23 passes for a measly 100 yards with zero touchdowns and—you guessed it—three picks. His passer rating? A career-low 24.1. For perspective, you could probably throw the ball blindfolded and match that performance.

The Dolphins managed only six points in a 31-6 beatdown that had fans wondering if they accidentally tuned into a college scrimmage. With 10 interceptions through seven games, Tagovailoa is now tied with Geno Smith for the NFL lead. Last season, he threw just seven picks in 11 games. This year? He’s on pace to shatter his career worst.

When Tough Love Meets Reality

McDaniel tried to soften the blow later in his press conference, explaining that he and Tagovailoa reviewed the film together and had “direct communication about the ebbs and flows of the game.” “To me, when you go through a performance like that, I don’t see it as all on a player or all on a coach,” McDaniel said. “It’s a working relationship, and we both have to get better together because that’s not good enough.”

Fair enough. The Dolphins’ problems extend beyond just their quarterback. Miami committed 11 penalties, players were lining up incorrectly, and the team looked about as organized as a Black Friday sale at 4 a.m. McDaniel called the performance an “embarrassing effort” and admitted the team “didn’t participate in the game in my opinion.”

The Hot Seat Gets Hotter

At 1-6, with a 29-29 record over three-plus seasons as head coach, McDaniel is hearing the footsteps. His record against winning teams? A pedestrian 3-15. Against teams .500 or below? A much more respectable 26-14. Despite the embarrassing loss and mounting pressure, NFL Network reported that Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross doesn’t plan on making any coaching changes “at this time.” Those last two words are doing some heavy lifting there.

McDaniel, to his credit, refused to engage in speculation about his job security. “From an integrity standpoint, I refuse to go into that world of speculation when currently I’m holding the job,” he said. “I think that’s kind of irresponsible.”

What’s Next For Miami?

The Dolphins face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, and barring some unprecedented disaster, Tagovailoa will be under center. The question is whether he can bounce back or if we’ll see more of rookie Quinn Ewers, who replaced Tagovailoa in the fourth quarter against Cleveland.

McDaniel confirmed that Ewers and Zach Wilson will compete for the backup job this week, which is basically coach-speak for “we’re keeping our options open.” But for now, Tagovailoa remains the guy. Will he throw 10 interceptions against Atlanta? Almost certainly not. Will he need to play significantly better than he did against Cleveland? Absolutely. The Dolphins’ season is already teetering on the brink of disaster, and another three-pick performance might have McDaniel reaching for stronger sarcasm—or a different starting quarterback.

For now, though, we’ll have to settle for McDaniel’s deadpan humor and hope that Tagovailoa can turn things around. Because if not, that “10 picks” joke might start sounding less like exaggeration and more like prophecy.