Right now, the Miami Dolphins might be one of the best (or worst) soap operas happening in the 2025 NFL season. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spoke out about leadership issues after Miami’s 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Meanwhile, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has come under fire for his own leadership. Well, Stephen A. Smith is calling McDaniel out in a big way.
Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel
On Monday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith made a beeline to McDaniel and pretty much said that he has to go now.
“Mike McDaniel needs to go,” Smith said. “The coach of the Miami Dolphins needs to go. He needs to be gone as the head coach of this franchise. He’s not a leader of men. That’s what this comes down to. Tua Tagovailoa is not being absolved here by any stretch of the imagination.”
“Mike McDaniel needs to go. … He’s not a leader of men.”
—@stephenasmith on the Dolphins pic.twitter.com/DFKSE1Rapr
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 13, 2025
Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton appeared on “First Take” alongside ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark. “Over the last several weeks, in the term of a lack of leadership, pointing the finger, you know what, you know, tacitly or otherwise, alluding to certain things,” Smith said about Tagovailoa’s comments.
Record-wise, the Dolphins are 1-5 for the season, 1-2 at home, and 0-3 away. The offense has scored 134 total points while giving up 174 total points, a 40-point differential.
According to the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics, the Dolphins have a 77.3 Offense Impact Score and grade out at C+. De’Von Achane is the lead running back for Miami and, according to the PFSN RB Impact metrics, Achane has an 86.4 RB Impact Score and grades out at a B.
McDaniel has been under scrutiny for many of the team’s failures. The rough start to this season has just made the calls for him to get fired grow louder. Smith’s comments are not a significant departure from those of other NFL analysts and commentators who offer their viewpoints about what’s happening in Miami.
McDaniel came out on Monday and indicated that Tagovailoa’s comments about his teammates were misguided. That will not silence the people calling for a change in the coaching staff and leadership for the Dolphins.
It’s safe to say that McDaniel is squarely sitting on the hot seat, and he might be the next NFL head coach to get fired after Tennessee ousted Brian Callahan on Monday.