MIAMI GARDENS — We’ll soon find out how much magic the duo of Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has without the services of speedy receiver Tyreek Hill, the probable future Hall of Famer with five-time first-team All Pro selections and eight-time Pro Bowl berths. And we’ll know whether it’s worthwhile keeping McDaniel and Tua in 2026.

You’ll recall what I’ve always said about the Dolphins offense under McDaniel. I’ve repeatedly said, “The Dolphins offense is about two things — Tyreek Hill and the threat of Tyreek Hill.”

Well, Tyreek is out with a season-ending left knee injury sustained in Monday’s 27-21 win over the Jets. We knew Tyreek likely wasn’t returning to Dolphins in 2026 due to his salary ($36 million) and age (32).

But now Tyreek’s injury might serve as a catalyst for a clean sweep after the season, which means parting ways with general manager Chris Grier, McDaniel and Tua. I need to be convinced any of them can be effective without Tyreek. They all rode his coattails to their limited success of recent years.

Consider the remaining 13 games a job audition for both McDaniel and Tua, who have benefitted greatly from having Tyreek. In a sense, they’re on their own. That’s unsettling.

I’ve been giving you the numbers for a while. For example, in the 2023 and ’24 seasons when Tyreek had 100 or more yards receiving the Dolphins were 11-0 and averaged 35 points per game, and when Tyreek had 99 or fewer yards the Dolphins were 7-17 (.292) and averaged 18 ppg. 

McDaniel is 29-28 (.509), including playoffs. He’s 29-26 (.527) in the regular season. He’s had Tyreek for all but one of those games.

Tua was 2-10 against playoff teams in the 2023-24 seasons, throwing a so-so 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He had Tyreek for all 12 of those games.

Losing Tyreek is crushing for McDaniel and Tua.

The 2025 Dolphins were regarded as average to below average with Tyreek. They’ll be far below average without Tyreek. He’s that important, and McDaniel and Tua are that vulnerable.

They can’t rely on the run game to lead to victories. The Dolphins were 8-11 (.421) in the 2023-24 seasons when rushing for more than 100 yards. 

Simply put, Tua and McDaniel can’t succeed without Tyreek. They’re both gifted and talented. They were vital parts of the NFL’s No. 1 offense in 2023. But neither McDaniel nor Tua is unique or special. That’s Tyreek.

The point here isn’t to trash McDaniel, Tua or the Dolphins offense. The point here is to highlight the fact that this one-dimensional offense should have diversified two years ago. Someone in that building should have insisted on offensive diversity. Now trouble is brewing.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Tyreek’s season-ending injury; what’s next? | VIDEO

The Dolphins have a respectable offense with Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane. But no one will fear them. And there’s zero chance they return to their high-scoring ways.

McDaniel and Tua led a wheezing offense during training camp without Tyreek, who was sidelined due to right wrist surgery and then an oblique injury.

The lasting preseason impression many have of the Dolphins offense in training camp was the starters struggling against Jacksonville’s second-team defense in the finale. Expect similar results for the next 13 games.

McDaniel and Tua are good, but they’re limited. Tyreek made people around him better, starting with McDaniel and Tua.

Without Tyreek, I’m expecting the Dolphins offense to face many more eight-man fronts to stop the run, and they’ll face fewer two-deep safety looks to stop the deep pass. Achane will attract much more defensive attention. Tight end Darren Waller, who had two touchdowns in his debut last Monday against the Jets, will attract much more defensive attention. 

This offense needs Tyreek. More importantly, McDaniel and Tua need Tyreek.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Did Tua step up against Jets? | VIDEO

Originally Published: October 1, 2025 at 12:47 PM EDT