The Miami Dolphins hosted the Cincinnati Bengals for a Week 16 matchup on Sunday afternoon, which quickly turned one-sided, as the Cincinnati-based franchise dominated the game with a 45–21 win.
Following the loss, Miami’s season record dropped to 6–9, prompting a lot of frustrated Dolphins fans to blame head coach Mike McDaniel for the team’s poor performance.
“Anyone who thinks Mike McDaniel should coach the Dolphins next year should get their head examined!!!! He is so trash,” wrote a fan.”
“Dolphins keeping Mike McDaniel for 2026 would be the biggest joke of all-time. Be a serious franchise for once,” stated a fan.
“Hey, Stephen Ross, wake up. Fire Mike McDaniel. He’s been the problem this whole time,” said a fan.
“They should FIRE Mike McDaniel on the spot and hand the headset to Anthony Weaver,” commented a fan.
“If you want the #1 overall pick in 2027, keeping Mike McDaniel is brilliant,” remarked a fan sarcastically.
“Getting blown out but maybe this means Mike McDaniel won’t be back,” wrote another fan.
“Get Mike McDaniel off my team,” stated another fan.
“Mike McDaniel HAS TO go. Absolutely abysmal situational playcalling week in and week out,” commented another fan.
McDaniel’s overall tenure with the Dolphins shows a 34–32 regular-season record, spanning four years. Miami made the playoffs during its first two seasons, but failed to qualify in both 2024 and 2025.
Rex Ryan Blasts Mike McDaniel For Benching Tua Tagovailoa
While the 45-21 landslide loss against the Bengals was one of the primary reasons behind fans calling for McDaniel’s dismissal from the head coach position, his overall decision-making pertaining to certain Dolphins players has been iffy.
The week 16 game against the Bengals saw Mike McDaniel bench his star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who was the emergency quarterback for this encounter.
Reacting to this, former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan called out McDaniels’ decision-making on the NFL Countdown show.
“You haven’t had a playoff win in 20 years. It isn’t just about Super Bowls, it’s about being competitive and winning a darn playoff game. And, to me, it’s been an epic fail”, Rex stated.
“Now you know why their GM is out of there. You took a small, left-handed quarterback with questionable arm talent and an injury history”, he further elaborated.
🎥 Rex Ryan blasts Mike McDaniel for the benching of Tua Tagovailoa: “It’s a horrible message you send to the rest of your football team by benching [Tua]… what happened to your [QB2]? You just passed him over. Zach Wilson, here’s the message to you too.” (@ESPNNFL) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/wVpgVdUWV1
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) December 21, 2025
The game against the Bengals saw Miami start with rookie Quinn Ewers ahead of Tua Tagovailoa, which has only added fuel to the growing speculation surrounding the quarterback’s future in Miami, with ongoing rumors of his departure.
Read More:
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- “They Should Both Be Gone”: Fans React as Dolphins Stick With Mike McDaniel While Tua Tagovailoa Nears Exit
- “Welcome To The Vikings”: Fans React As Joe Burrow Shows Off Simplistic Fashion Choice Ahead Of Miami Matchup
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