The Miami Dolphins are heading into the new NFL season with more questions than answers. After trading away some key players and dealing with limited salary cap space, the team looks less like a contender and more like a franchise that might be on the verge of a reset. And all of that is putting serious pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel is coming off his first losing season with the Dolphins, and the team missed the playoffs. According to CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan, McDaniel is now one of the coaches under the most pressure in the league. With limited room to improve the roster and no major signings possible, the road ahead looks tough, and his job may be on the line.
The Dolphins are trying to free up money, but much of their salary cap is tied to veteran contracts. One of the biggest names being talked about is wide receiver Tyreek Hill. While some are shocked by the idea of Miami moving on from him, it’s not off the table.
Jacob Infante from Pro Football Network said that trading Hill, not releasing him, would make the most sense. A trade could bring in strong value and save the team over $20 million. Cutting him outright would still help financially, but it would also send a loud and clear message: Miami is no longer trying to win now.
Interestingly, Hill is showing up this season with a new approach. He’s slimmed down by 14 pounds, going from 197 to 183, and is once again aiming for 2,000 receiving yards. That’s a big personal goal, but whether he reaches it in a Dolphins uniform is suddenly unclear.
If the Dolphins do end up moving Hill, it would be more than just a financial decision, it would signal a full-blown rebuild. And for Coach McDaniel, that could mean even more uncertainty about his future in Miami.
