{"id":685620,"date":"2026-01-18T02:52:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T02:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/685620\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T02:52:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T02:52:23","slug":"shock-contender-emerges-as-favorite-to-replace-mike-mcdaniel-at-the-miami-dolphins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/685620\/","title":{"rendered":"Shock contender emerges as favorite to replace Mike McDaniel at the Miami Dolphins"},"content":{"rendered":"

By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 16:59 EST, 17 January 2026 | Updated: 16:59 EST, 17 January 2026 <\/p>\n

Green Bay Packers<\/a> defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has reportedly emerged as a shock frontrunner to take over the Miami Dolphins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 46-year-old is reportedly among the NFL’s most in-demand coaches, with four others teams keen on a second interview with Hafley.<\/p>\n

But according to NFL Network<\/a>, the Packers defensive coordinator appears to be leading the race to become head coach of the Dolphins.<\/p>\n

Miami sacked Mike McDaniel<\/a>\u00a0after the Dolphins went 7-10 in the 2025 regular season and missed out on the playoffs once more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Halfey has just finished his second season with the Packers, who were beaten by the Bears in the first round of the playoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He worked with new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan in Green Bay and NFL Network claimed that ‘familiarity… will be hard to beat’ for other coaches.<\/p>\n

\"Packers <\/p>\n

Packers DC Jeff Hafley has reportedly emerged as a shock frontrunner to join the Dolphins<\/p>\n

\"Miami <\/p>\n

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross fired Mike McDaniel after a disappointing 2025 season<\/p>\n

\"McDaniel <\/p>\n

McDaniel led the Dolphins to a 7-10 record and missed out on the playoffs in 2025<\/p>\n

The 46-year-old Hafley has previously worked with the likes of the Buccaneers, the Browns, the 49ers, Ohio State and Boston College.<\/p>\n

There are still eight head coach vacancies left in the NFL, including the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.<\/p>\n

The Giants’ opening closed on Saturday after New York sealed an agreement with former Ravens boss John Harbaugh<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It’s a five-year deal for Harbaugh worth around $100million, depending on the success of the team under his leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘This is the New York Giants,’ Harbaugh, 63, told ESPN. ‘I’m proud and honored to the head coach of this historic franchise, and especially excited to work with the Mara and Tisch families.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘But most of all, I can’t wait to get started with the great players on this football team to see what we can accomplish together.’<\/p>\n

Share or comment on this article:
\n Shock contender emerges as favorite to replace Mike McDaniel at the Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n