For the first 12 weeks of the 2022 season, the Miami Dolphins looked like they belonged among AFC contenders and head coach Mike McDaniel was getting consideration for the league’s Coach of the Year award. However, the team suffered a late-season collapse and was promptly eliminated by the Buffalo Bills in its first playoff appearance since 2016.
Here are the three Dolphins with the hottest seats in 2023:
1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB
From September through November, McDaniel appeared to unlock something in Tagovailoa that nobody else had since Nick Saban. The 25-year-old quarterback at times looked to be the best in the conference, totaling 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while producing six games with a passer rating of 100 or better.
But Tagovailoa just couldn’t avoid getting hit, and the concussions begun to pile up. It got to the point where many wondered if Tagovailoa should retire just from the beating his head took in 2022 alone. If he struggles with head injuries again next season, the Dolphins may have to save Tagovailoa from himself.
2. Austin Jackson, OT
Jackson is just 23, so it may be difficult for Miami to throw in the towel on a former first-round pick so quickly. But he was limited to just two games this season, and he’s missed 18 games since his rookie year in 2020.
With Tagovailoa struggling with as many head injuries as he had in 2022, the Dolphins can’t afford to keep a tackle around who isn’t healthy enough to see the field and protect their other first-round investment.
3. Eric Studesville, running backs coach
Perhaps the most frustrating part about the Dolphins offense is its lack of a run game. Miami hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Lamar Miller in 2014, and Raheem Mostert (891 yards), Jeff Wilson Jr. (392 yards) and Myles Gaskin (26 yards) are all set to hit the open market.
Studesville has coached the Dolphins running backs since he joined the team in 2017, and he’s not only failed to coach a 1,000-yard rusher, but no RB has had more than four rushing touchdowns in a single season. At some point, the front office has to start pointing fingers at the coach and not at the personnel.
