You know things have gone off the rails when your team ends up losing against the Cleveland Browns. That’s the Miami Dolphins for you, who came into Week 7 sitting where the Browns were at (1-5). Still, the Fins somehow managed to hit a new low; a 31-6 loss to a team that had been averaging just 13.7 points per game at that.

Naturally, there were growing expectations that the football leadership would see a change in terms of an in-season firing of HC Mike McDaniel, just the second in line after the Tennessee Titans fired Brian Callahan last week. But Monday reports confirmed the front office would remain committed to keeping him at the helm for now. Currently, fresh details emerged on the latest episode of The Rich Eisen Show, where senior reporter Albert Breer just name-dropped McDaniel’s possible replacement.

“I do think there are some people in the organization who, before the end of the year, might like to get a look at Anthony Weaver as an interim coach,” Breer said. “So, there’s just a lot of moving parts there right now.

“I think Mike McDaniel still has some rope to climb his way out of this. But there weren’t great signs in what was a really dark afternoon for them in Cleveland. There are cases where you see owners make changes in-season, to make sure that the focus is on what’s best for the organization from a long-term standpoint. So, it’s a weird position to be in.”

Not only did Tua Tagovailoa throw three interceptions before being benched, but the Dolphins looked undisciplined, racking up seven first-half penalties against Cleveland. However, there’s a reported reluctance in firing McDaniel just yet, as Breer added, “I hate to be the one who’s going to sit here and tell you. Stephen Ross does not want to fire Mike McDaniel because it does feel like things are going that way. I don’t think he wants to do this in-season.”

At this point, the front office’s hesitation to fire McDaniel has anxiety pulsing through the Dolphins organization. In fact, after last season’s disappointing finish, fans were already wondering if McDaniel had reached the end of his run. When the team decided to keep him for 2025, it came with an unspoken understanding—that he would be on the hot seat. Currently, the seat is not just hot but set ablaze.

And if the Fins do decide to fire him, Anthony Weaver would be a potential in-house replacement. He could be the next head coach or at least an interim one.

Sure, he has never been an HC, but he has plenty of experience in several defensive roles for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, and the New York Jets. In fact, before his stint as the DC for Miami, he was the defensive line coach as well as associate head coach for Baltimore in 2022 and 2023.

He has the experience to be considered for the role, especially at a time when things could further spiral downwards.

The Dolphins are now at a crossroads.

Trade deadline decisions loom large, and the front office must decide whether to salvage the season or prepare for a reset. Trading away contributors could set up a stronger 2026. But that same decision would undercut McDaniel’s already shaky position.

It’s the eternal NFL dilemma: protect the future versus fighting for survival right now. However, the coach isn’t the only one making fans unhappy. Miami’s QB has been just as underwhelming.

Why is Tua Tagovailoa still the Dolphins’ quarterback?

Tagovailoa’s stats this season cannot be ignored. He is coming off what is statistically the most brutal two-game stretch of his entire NFL career. But even after all that, HC Mike McDaniel stepped up to the podium on Monday and firmly declared: Tua is still the guy for the next game.

Tagovailoa’s struggles have reached a breaking point, with 10 interceptions—tied for the league lead—against just 11 touchdowns. His recent performances have fueled concerns not just about execution but also about the team’s overall chemistry. Behind the stats, signs of frustration, distant body language, and reported tension between players, fans, and the coaching staff suggest a deeper disconnect under McDaniel’s leadership.

But irrespective of all the downsides, McDaniel is confident. While confirming his decision in the post-game press conference, McDaniel delivered a pointed message that backed his quarterback while demanding better results: “He is going to take the snaps this week. And he is going to be a starter this week. And my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks,” McDaniel stated.

While the starting QB job is secure, the competition for the backup role is intensifying. Rookie Quinn Ewers saw his first NFL action on Sunday. He completed 5-of-8 passes for 53 yards and will now compete with former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson for the long-term QB2 spot.