The Miami Dolphins have initiated a major organisational shakeup, parting ways with head coach Mike McDaniel following a disappointing 2025 NFL season. This decision has immediately ignited widespread speculation across the league, with a prominent NFL insider suggesting a direct link to the sudden availability of Super Bowl-winning coach John Harbaugh.
End of an Era: McDaniel's Exit After Disappointing Finish
The Dolphins officially dismissed Mike McDaniel after the team concluded the 2025 campaign with a 7-10 record, marking their second consecutive losing season. McDaniel, who was hired in 2022, leaves Miami with a regular-season record of 35 wins and 33 losses. Despite early promise that included back-to-back playoff appearances, his teams failed to secure a postseason victory, going 0-2 in the playoffs. The fading momentum ultimately led team ownership to reassess the franchise's strategic direction.
Harbaugh's Shadow: Insider Links Firing to Coach's Availability
The timing of McDaniel's firing has raised eyebrows, coming closely on the heels of John Harbaugh's unexpected departure from the Baltimore Ravens. According to a report from NFL Network's trusted insider Ian Rapoport, Harbaugh's new status as a free agent may have influenced Miami's decision-making process. Harbaugh was let go by the Ravens after an impressive 18-season tenure, following a dramatic late-season loss that eliminated the team from playoff contention.
Rapoport explicitly noted that with Harbaugh now available, and given Dolphins owner Stephen Ross's established ties to the Harbaugh family, the veteran coach immediately becomes a prime candidate for the vacant Miami position. The insider went so far as to suggest that Harbaugh's availability could have been "a reason to fire a coach," a comment that fueled intense league-wide chatter.
Connections and Contradictions in the Coaching Search
The personal connections are undeniable. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a University of Michigan alumnus and has previously shown interest in hiring John's brother, Jim Harbaugh, for the head coaching role. These deep-rooted links to the Harbaugh family make John a natural name for speculation.
However, not all insiders agree with the direct causation narrative. ESPN's Jeff Darlington reported that the Dolphins have not yet reached out to Harbaugh or his representatives. According to this perspective, Miami's decision was based solely on an internal evaluation of McDaniel's performance and the team's trajectory, not as a reaction to the Ravens' move. The organisation plans to follow a deliberate process, aiming to hire a new General Manager before launching a full-scale search for a head coach.
For now, the Dolphins enter another critical offseason with immense pressure on the ownership to make the correct hire. While the path forward remains unclear, the rumours connecting John Harbaugh to Miami are persistent, driven by his proven track record and the franchise's desperate need for stability and a winning culture. The speculation door is wide open, and Harbaugh's name is firmly at the centre of the conversation.
