Read the full transcript from Mike McDaniel 's press conference on November 12, 2025.
Q: Since you've landed in Spain can you share what you've seen, what you've observed of the country, anything you've experienced that you normally wouldn't experience back home?
"I think the timing of the question for the person your asking is a little unfortunate. I've seen the hotel office that I have. On the ride over here it was absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me a lot of northern California, just kind of the layout. Being a history major, there's a lot of things I'd like to see but right now I know firmly where the beverages are and where the pens are and where my computer is to watch film, but we'll get there by Friday."
Q: Can you just talk a little bit about the facilities here at Atlético de Madrid and you get to play at Real Madrid stadium because they are big city rivals, can you talk a little bit about that? And also Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn talked about the time he helped you with your personal problems. He was proud about it and saying that it was important to him so I was wondering if you could talk about that?)
"Absolutely, are you trying to throw me square in the middle of a rivalry? I have yet to be to the stadium that we're playing the game at but so far here, very impressed. You can tell it's first class for sure. We feel very fortunate to be able to have access to a facility like this to prepare for an NFL game. It's very helpful when you have such a nice facility, with all the things you need for a football team. Dan Quinn holds a special place in my heart, in my career. I think he was there, ground zero, when I became sober and supported me and believed in me and gave me the opportunity to continue what I love to do. For that, I'll be forever indebted to him. I think it speaks to the type of man he is and the type of leader he is that I know. He touches every player he coaches from a true, authentic standpoint, and I think the Commanders are very fortunate to have him."
Q: You're big on team bonding experiences of course whenever the team travels like the long preseason trip and such, Germany a couple years ago. What are you hoping the team, the players get out of this experience?
"I think any sort of investment, personal investment into people's lives such as this is a place that a lot of people never knew they were going to be able to go to necessarily and just feel very fortunate to have a first-time experience, so you do that with teammates, little things or big things. The sport of football is 11 people playing together each and every down and that cohesion is only elevated when you share off the field experiences as well. I think as far as the opportunity to have a player day off here versus home where everyone has their lives, it takes them different places, it's a residual win and we feel very fortunate to have the opportunity. Now it's back to focusing on exactly what people are here for and that's to play a game against an opponent that's going to be a complete handful, so we have a lot of work to do starting here."
Q: Two quick questions, most of the people, football in Europe is what you guys in America call soccer. Do you have any approach to that sport? Also, after your win last game against the Buffalo Bills, was it psychologically a very important this one? Do you believe you'll end up with a winning record still?
"To answer your first question, fútbol, yes, I'm an avid – I don't think I've missed a World Cup. That's as good as it gets in terms of people from all over the world really, I think it kind of flexes the popularity of the sport globally but in the World Cup, people fighting for their country and only being able to do so every four years. That firmly engrained my passion to the sport and I'm a fan. I was working with the Houston Texans back in my second year in the National Football League and there was an exhibition, Barcelona was playing, I can't remember who, but it was a pretty cool event and since then, I've kept a close eye on it. As far as our team, I think each and every game is its own individual challenge. I think the more that you can almost simplify the formula for what you're trying to do, we do have a history, we are in division and it's absolutely vital if you're trying to do anything in the National Football League, it goes through your division. But I think more than anything the team needed to feel the complete execution of a three-phase football game. I think that more than anything less of the opponent and more of who we are and how we play football, I think that was the biggest thing for our team. I think right now, in the National Football League, you run yourself into trouble if you look past anyone. The parity is so real that every game you have to earn your victory, and if you look at more than the next game, it's usually a recipe for failure. Our team on the heels of putting together what we think is a complete game, now our objective is to change circumstances, go across an ocean and create the same formula to have the same outcome for this next game and that has to be earned. I think the belief in the team is very high amongst the entire locker room and our job is to play football, but we get to choose if we're impassioned collectively. I think guys have made that choice and need to continue to progress so that we can have another win. Then we'll move on to the next one and ultimately that's the best way to shape your record in the way you want."
Q: The Dolphins have an international growth strategy to be the NFL team for the Spanish speaking world, so I'm curious, living in Miami where 67% of residents speak Spanish at home, I'm curious how you interact with Spanish at home in Miami, if you do at all?
"I do my best when interacting with bilingual people who peak English. I'm a very good listener and I can understand it but unfortunately I do the language an injustice when I try to get reps at it. Fortunately, most people that try to speak with me speak fluent English which is my wheelhouse."
Q: How has the atmosphere been since the departure of former General Manager Chris Grier?
"You get used to, in professional sports, things occurring specifically when your results aren't there. From my standpoint as the head coach of the football team, I'm very focused on how we play football and keeping guys focused on that. I think collectively the team did a great job of focusing on what was most important for the foreseeable future which was the next opponent. Sometimes when there are things that are outside of your control, realistically, the best thing to do is to focus on what you can control. I think that's what the team did and I think the results were a product of focus and desire, strain and a collective effort that was very focused on the opponent the Buffalo Bills, and that's what it will take this week for the Commanders."
Q: I know you've said WR Jaylen Waddle is a No.1 receiver, you've seen him as a No.1 receiver. Since WR Tyreek Hills injury, I think he's cleared five catches and 80 yards in every game but one. What have you seen from him, how have you seen him achieve another level since becoming the de facto No.1 guy in this offense.
"I think there's something to be said about his high percentage of productive per target. When you're the No. 1 receiver and the team is depending on you to be that, generally your targets come in critical situations whether it's situational football or moments in the game. In those situations, the team rises or falls based upon your execution of what people are depending on you to execute. Jaylen Waddle has always had the talent to do almost anything on the football field. A lot of receivers do have talent; he's an extraordinary talent. Playing the position of receiver in the National Football League has to do with more than just the talent. It's a high level of execution and understanding of timing, understanding of areas of the field, understanding what the responsibilities are of the players around you so you can appropriately run your route. High level detail that the pass rush in half of a second, if you're off of your game, your quarterback could get sacked and you could not even have a target. When you're the leading receiver you're a true 1. There's a lot of weight and expectation of execution and that's what I've seen him deliver on, is the staying true to his technique and fundamentals, understanding through all the prep when to do what, how to release, when to use a move on a route and when the quarterback is needing him to get out of his break fast and as a hot – all things winning football. When you're the No.1 receiver, you have to be playing winning football and I think he's demonstrated that he can do that for our team in a very, very effective way. It's great to see and very timely."
Q: In other international games, teams arrive on Thursday or Friday. Was there a reason for your early arrival and do you think it makes a difference in your preparation for the game?
"I think there are many different ways to do it. I think there's pros and cons to any extensive time difference. The philosophy that we try to get out here early to adapt to the time but more importantly to me, I think it's hard for me to come to a place that is as wonderful as this and not expect players to want to see it at all if they're playing a game. Rather than cramming that in at the end of the week, I figure use the player day off, which is usually normally a day that they would have that they are not allowed to come in and get coached, and use that to bond together. You can win any way and the schedule is not going to dictate that; it's more a collective buy in to what you're doing and how you're doing it that matters the most. I think teams, when coming a couple days early, teams when coming a week early, it's really all about the team and what they decide to put into the game. You just adjust for time zones because the opponent has to as well."
Q: To knock out some housekeeping, is any practice window opening for either OL Austin Jackson, OL James Daniels, I know you hinted at possibly someone. Also, any updates on LB Chop Robinson, CB Rasul Douglas, CB JuJu Brents from an injury standpoint? Four for one, I'm sorry.
"By my count I feel like it was more than four, but Austin Jackson's window will be opening today so it will be good to have him on the field. I know you said Rasul (Douglas), Rasul is working his way back, eagerly trying to get ready for this game. He won't practice today but we feel positive about him. Chop (Robinson) should be – all things point towards a clearance, a full clearance today and we feel positive about that."
Q: Was CB JuJu Brents hurt in the last game?
"There's a lot of knicks, but there's no worry of what you're worried about."
Q: Just a quick question, is OL Aaron Brewer OK or is he hurt?
"He's not going to practice today. He's working through a game issue that from a captain's standpoint he's not going to be executing all the plays today, but you can tell where his mind is at. He's working his way back. I feel very optimistic. It's a real thing he's dealing with but just knowing him and his mindset, I feel very optimistic for him."
Q: From Spain, we see yourself as a very close, friendly person. In your management style, what do you do to keep the balance between being a cool, chill guy with the people but also having to make tough decisions remarking that you're the boss?
"I think the idea of being a coach in general is that you're trying to be able to reach people. On the front end, you have to earn their respect and regard by way of being worthy of them listening to you. Then as far as executing standards and having accountability, you just follow through with the rules you set forth that you deem important. The main thing is that you're trying to develop and maximize players. From a psychological standpoint, how do you do that? There's one way that I know and that's to reach players and you do that with both meeting them on their level but also holding them accountable and making sure that they are maximizing all their talent in their profession. For me, I've never seen anyone respond to someone inauthentic, so I think it's a primary importance when you're in a working relationship."
Q: QB Tua Tagovailoa recently said that one way that he can get back to his previous level of play is by just playing with conviction – it's not necessarily a comfort thing, conviction. I don't know if this is more of a Tua question but as his coach, how does he get back to playing with conviction? How do you get your players playing with conviction again?
"I think it starts with what are you telling them to do, what are they being coached to do, are they capable of doing it, and then just working together. I think last game he played very convicted. How did he do that? I think it's pretty simple, it's going through each and every play with the understanding of the foundational principles of how we teach and then lean into playing the position as a point guard rather than trying to play the position as a shooting guard. As a quarterback, you don't always know what's going to be open. You might not even know what's going to be open at the snap, so the key is that you have a clear mind and rely on your gifts and your training and play what you see and do it with conviction, understanding that the idea is not to be perfect. The idea is to be fully prepared and lean into your skill sets and play with the other 10 players. I think Tua, his game is where the team needs it when he is playing convicted. I think he recognizes that and it's one of the reasons we were able to score 30 points in the past game, was his conviction on a lot of things."
Q: Just to clarify, just a follow up here, I love a cross-sport analogy but playing as a point guard instead of a shooting guard, his job is to distribute and get his teammates him involved rather than look to essentially get buckets himself or win the game himself?
"I think you have to look at it like all passes have to be caught. As for other players to have an impact on the game, it is the quarterback's job to get them the ball. When you're looking at it through the lens of, 'All right, I'm not going to predetermine that this ball is going to go through the hoop. I might shoot it. If I have two defenders charging at me, I might bounce pass it to the lane.' Whatever it is, you have to know what all of the players are doing, and you have to attack a defense through conviction where they're vulnerable. You have concepts that are better for certain coverage or certain defenses or ideal for certain, but the main objective is still to distribute and deliver the football for other players to run with it. I think that point guard analogy is something that we use a bunch because it's a mindset thing. He's trying to play with conviction while distributing the football."
