The Miami Dolphins suffered another brutal loss on Sunday, and some comments that Tua Tagovailoa made after the game do not bode well for head coach Mike McDaniel’s job security.
The Dolphins battled back from a two-score deficit to take a 27-26 lead with 46 seconds remaining in their Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. Their defense could not hold, however, and the Chargers drove 44 yards on their ensuing drive to set up a game-winning field goal from Cameron Dicker.
Tagovailoa was understandably frustrated about the 29-27 loss, and he expressed that in his postgame press conference. The quarterback also questioned the level of commitment from some of his teammates.
“I think it starts with the leadership and helping articulate that for the guys and what we’re expecting out of the guys,” Tagovailoa said. “We’re expecting this. Are we getting that? Are we not getting that? We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late, guys not showing up to player-only meetings. There’s a lot that goes into that. Do we have to make this mandatory? Do we not have to make this mandatory? It’s a lot of things of that nature that we’ve got to get cleaned up and it starts with the little things like that.”
🎥 Tua Tagovailoa reveals players have been arriving late and not showing up to players only meetings: "We have guys showing up to player online meetings late, guys not showing up to player only meetings." (@MiamiDolphins) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/P05u2eb9cH
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) October 12, 2025
Tagovailoa specified that the meetings he referenced are player-only meetings. Those are different from mandatory meetings with coaches, but it is clear that Tagovailoa does not feel all of his teammates are doing what they can to help turn Miami’s season around.
There have been reports this season that the Dolphins are trying to change a culture that became problematic last year. Players were fined last season for being late to practices and meetings, which reflects poorly on McDaniel.
With the Dolphins now 1-5 following an ugly loss, McDaniel is facing more pressure than ever. There are said to be two conditions under which Dolphins owner Stephen Ross might consider making an in-season head coach change, and it would not be a surprise if those become a factor in the wake of Sunday’s loss.
