Miami Dolphins’ Playoff Hopes Diminished
The Miami Dolphins officially saw their playoff aspirations end following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Struggling right from the start of the season with an 0-3 record, it has now been over 25 years since the Dolphins last enjoyed a postseason victory. Right after losing 28-15 to the Steelers, head coach Mike McDaniel hinted that a significant change at quarterback might be coming.
When questioned about the possibility of benching Tua Tagovailoa, McDaniel initially expressed hesitation, stating he preferred to avoid “short-sighted” decisions regarding the quarterback position. However, he later remarked that “everything is on the table,” given the erratic nature of Tagovailoa’s season.
Tagovailoa finished the game with 253 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Despite decent overall stats for the NFL’s passing yards leader, he only managed 65 yards and threw an interception in the first three quarters. This season, he has reached a personal high with 15 interceptions.
His two touchdowns came in the final quarter, which raises questions about his overall consistency. McDaniel noted Tagovailoa’s slow start, saying, “I don’t think our quarterback played well enough last night, so everything is fine for me.”
The coach also acknowledged the Dolphins’ passing attack has been lacking lately, admitting that it “hurt” the team in their recent loss.
The quarterback himself felt the need to take ownership of his performance, stating, “I had to play better. I had to be better for the team offensively.” He expressed disappointment in his receivers’ preparedness, emphasizing the importance of communication and alignment during plays.
A decision regarding Tagovailoa’s future could be made by McDaniel as soon as Wednesday, although Tagovailoa is under contract with the franchise for the long haul—with a four-year, $212.1 million extension signed in 2024.
Right now, Tagovailoa finds himself competing with Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers on the Dolphins’ depth chart. Following the loss, the Dolphins sit at 6-8, and are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals later this week in Week 16.
