What Mike McDaniel’s Contract Extension Says About Stephen Ross’ Vision for Miami Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — On paper, the Miami Dolphins‘ Stephen Ross and Mike McDaniel are an unlikely fit.

Ross is the NFL’s fourth-oldest owner, who made his fortune in the most old-school way possible — by owning and developing land.

McDaniel is a Millennial whose swag dazzles as much as his innovation.

Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Signs Extension Through 2028

But they are similar in the most important ways:

They believe old ideas aren’t necessarily the best ideas. They believe in collaboration and respect.

And they believe that Tua Tagovailoa has what it takes to deliver the franchise’s first championship in more than five decades.

McDaniel and Tagovailoa are in this together for the long haul after a five-week spending spree by Ross. Tagovailoa signed a contract extension late last month.

And McDaniel has now gotten similar long-term security.

McDaniel, who led the Dolphins to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in two decades, has signed a contract extension through 2028, according to an ESPN report that PFN has since confirmed.

That’s the same year Tagovailoa’s $212.4 million extension expires — which is no coincidence.

After McDaniel successfully lobbied for Tagovailoa’s new deal, the two men were forever going to be conjoined. Ross just made it official with McDaniel’s new deal.

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But what surely played as big a role was Ross’ delight with how well McDaniel has worked with the franchise’s other decision-makers, including GM Chris Grier and CEO Tom Garfinkel.

That environment of collaboration stands in stark contrast to the factionalization caused by McDaniel’s predecessor, Brian Flores.

“We took a chance, but I was impressed by him,” Ross said during a team preseason broadcast two weeks ago. “I mean his intelligence and as a person, he’s unique, certainly, and he’s doing a great job. Everybody loves him.”

Ross is showing his love back by showing him the money. But there are strings attached. This contract extension says just much about what Ross expects from McDaniel’s future as what he’s done in the recent past.

“We have a great roster and I think everybody has great expectations,” Ross added. “But hey, it’s the old injury bug. You got to make sure that that doesn’t happen like last year. I think without that and we stay healthy, I think we’re certainly a contender for the Super Bowl.”