Dolphins’ Darren Waller says he was kicked out of exit meeting with coach Mike McDaniel before being fired
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The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel last week, and Darren Waller almost found himself in the thick of it.
“I was at the crime scene, bro. I think I was the last person that saw him before he got fired,” the Dolphins tight end said in a recent appearance on Johnny Manziel’s podcast.
Waller said he was in his exit interview with McDaniel discussing possibilities for the 2026 season before owner Stephen Ross “kicked open the door” about 10 minutes into their discussion.
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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) catches the ball in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Donnan/Image Images)
“He comes in and joins the conversation,” Waller said. “We were all talking, reflecting on the year, and Stephen Ross said, ‘I’d love to have you back next year.’ Then the conversation reached a lull.”
Waller said Ross was giving him a specific look, which Manziel understood.
“It’s time for you to go,” Manziel said, laughing.
“I looked at Mike and he said we’d finish the conversation later… I walk out of the meeting, get a massage, check my phone and see he’s been fired. I’m like, ‘This s–t is cold.'”
Ross cited the need for a “comprehensive turnaround” after the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year with a 7-10 finish this season.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs to the locker room after the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, September 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The Dolphins made consecutive playoff appearances in McDaniel’s first two seasons as head coach, but were eliminated both times in the first round. The following season, they were eliminated after suffering an unexpected loss to the New York Jets in the team’s season finale.
McDaniel’s final season in Miami was tumultuous, highlighted by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s struggles and his eventual benching in the final three games of the season.
As one of his last major moves as head coach, McDaniel said this week that the Dolphins would hold a quarterback competition for the 2026 season, a decision Tagovailoa appeared to welcome this week when he confirmed he was open to a “fresh start” elsewhere.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel address reporters. (HAL HABIB / The Palm Beach Post / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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In addition to replacing their head coach and finding a reliable candidate at quarterback, the Dolphins will look to replace veteran general manager Chris Grier after he was fired midseason.
Paulina Dedaj of News contributed to this report.
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