Read the full transcript from Head Coach Mike McDaniel's Postgame press conference on December 7, 2025.
On how he liked how the defense and the run game worked together...
"That's a formula to win games in December. I think December football is unique and special because you kind of know what's coming. So, there's not too many hidden bells and whistles. Guys know, teams know where you have success and, likewise, where you have failure. So, to be able to execute that, defensively, I think the main things were the takeaways and the 1/12, third down percentage or holding them to that, and then I think I'm very happy with what we're counting on going into this season, which is our, we felt like we have a strength in the offensive line unit. And in particular, whatever the stats were, you knew that the Jets were going to come in and try to stop the run. So, to be able to, statistically it might not have been our biggest game, but regardless, just to be able to have some manufacturer, that type of success on the ground, that's December football and that's how you win. So, being able to execute when they know it's coming is what you're trying to work towards the whole season. So, it was good to see the guys do that and very proud of that team effort in that regard."
On the defense building camaraderie off the field and how that's translated to on the field...
"I would say you can see it collectively after a bad play, to be honest. The emotional stability of a unit that trusts each other and depends on each other, I think the first drive of the third quarter was a great example where we put a huge emphasis on trying to do a better job on that first drive. And they got some yards early, got the ball to about the 50, but then we created a stop. So, the emotional regulation of the unit and the ability to handle all the ebbs and flows that come in a football game, I think that's where you see all the investment from the defensive players really showed its face."
On RB Jaylen Wright's work ethic on and off the field throughout the season...
"Man, it's been cool because I think my favorite part of football, my favorite part of coaching guys isn't when everything is going well. Jaylen (Wright) had expectations going into the season, and it didn't start off totally the way I think he kind of pictured it. But what did he do through that, he focused on finding ways to contribute in any way, whether that be special teams or getting reps, not only on the live action units, but also as a look team and really focused. And the last couple weeks, his game has been as good as I've seen it since he's been here. That isthe journey of an NFL player, that's where it equates to life. You really find out about people when things don't go their way. So, to see him flourish, that's what we were counting on as a team, that's what I was counting on and that's why all the guys really get excited, really got excited for him in the game, after the game, to get his first 100-yard game. It says everything about him because he got his confidence in his game the old fashioned way, hard work, day in, day out, chopping wood, and kept belief. So, really, really excited for what he did today, and glad that he really got to showcase where his game was at because we've been seeing in practice. He hit 20.8 miles per hour the game before on a five yard run. And so to be able to do that, you have to have rarefied talent, but also you have to be convicted, and he's been running with conviction. I think the tacklers felt that today."
On De'Von Achane's injury...
"It was, we got it looked at, he was hurting, but he was available to come back in the game in an emergency. But there is no, you worry about breaks, that takes time, didn't see that, but he'll be getting treatment. And he was available to come back in the game, I just chose not to put him in."
On if the prognosis for his injury is looking good then for next week..
"You know, one would hope. We'll make sure we, I'll just push all the burden onto the trainers, and push him as much as he can. But the good news is, as you guys saw, we do have some other players to hand the ball off to as well. So, he'll, I promise you, he'll be in there if he'sready."
On how they'll get through the important and tough December stretch...
"Well, I think you get, what has gotten us four wins was not an orchestration of, a month ago, I didn't say, 'Let's go win four games.' The key component to our team, we have a lot of young contributors on the team. And I've learned that it is much more about the opponent of the week and what we're doing that day. So, you take it a day at a time, and that's where we've found the success. And that's where you can find the reasons for the four-game win streak. So, I'll be very, very emphatic about leaning into that and not getting ahead of yourself, because you play one opponent at a time and you have to do a tremendous amount of preparation for the football to feel the way you want it, and for us to play our type of convicted football, we have a lot of work that we do on the front end, and that will be the nature of business moving forward. So, we'll have one game that we'll focus on starting tomorrow, and you make it a lot less complex that way. And guys, realistically, they're football players that got into this profession for the love of football and you play a style of football as a team that is far better than having games lost or feeling, they know what that feeling is this season. So, I expect our team to fight, to continue to produce the type of football that we did today and these past games. And you do that one day at a time, one meeting at a time, and one practice session at a time."
On if having a successful run game is helpful for him as a playcaller going into the final stretch of the season...
"Absolutely, I think the one advantage after the snap count that you have offensively is you know the play and they don't. The more that you force the hand of the opponent to have to overcommit to stop something, that overplays where you see the big space and the yards. It's kind of the nuts and bolts of what this offense is in my mind, so, it allows you to play on schedule, it allows you to dictate the terms. If you're able to do the least risky thing, which is a handoff, and produce yards and points, it gets guys a little uncomfortable on the opposite side of the ball. It gets a play call, a defensive play call, it's a little more aggressive. You have eight guys near the line of scrimmage, a lot of times, and that gives opportunities for your skill guys in the pass game, and allows you to be a little, I wouldn't say, I think we try to be aggressive at all times, but you can be a little more responsible with your air yards. And when you're playing team football and you're getting takeaways, and you're not turning it over, and you're able to, I don't know what we ended up with time of possession, but when you're running 30 times a game and keeping your defense fresh in that way, that's a formula that's tried, tested, and has been proven over time to generate more wins than losses. So, we'll try to lean into those portions of our game, which we're having success with."
On how adjusting how he runs meetings and the schedule has translated to on the field success...
"Well, I think, realistically, I'm always adjusting to, you know I'm a coach. And my job, if I'm doing it most effectively, my job is to reach people, motivate them, teach them, instruct them. I see that inherent in my job, is to adapt to the people, the place, the situation. And for me, we have a very well-intentioned, all-in locker room, and the second that I feel there be some positive residuals to an adjustment, I try to jump on that, I think, adjusted meeting times and lengths, content, you name it. But that's something that I'm, it's kind of how I just see my job in general. So, I think it's easy to adjust when you have a collective group that's all in and shows you maybe some things that they, not necessarily prefer, but that they thrive, and I lean into that. I think our practices, we have a younger team, but we've practiced less walkthroughs as a result. Because of that, I try to minimize how long I talk in the meetings and just really challenge coaches to get to the nuts and bolts of what we need to cover in meetings so that we can maintain our energy throughout the day and really go after it, not going through the motions ever. So, that's something that, by nature, is kind of how I see. I'm very open-minded that way, but by nature, I'm always adjusting to who I'm coaching, because my job is to reach them. And when they show me how to do it, I try to lean into that."
On the team's two near-turnovers at the goal line...
"Yeah, there was a couple of things going on. Are you talking about right before halftime? We just had, you know, we're trying to keep the clock running. So, De'Von (Achane) just went out, and it's a play that De'Von had run, and Tua and Jaylen Wright weren't totally on the same page with timing. I think Jaylen, if he would have had it back, he would look earlier, but it's something that you're trying to keep the clock running while also trying to get a first down, and you know, third-and-five, I didn't want to concede and just punt. Probably looking back on it, might have had a run play that could have given us a chance, but realistically I was trying to get a bubble throw to Jaylen Wright and it didn't work out. So, the other play you're talking about?"
(follow-up): The one that was nearly intercepted down there. You were going to the right this time.
"I was hoping it would be more open, so that wouldn't be nearly intercepted. It's the cost of doing business. There are a lot of plays in the game, you know, fortunately we had some that worked out, but some didn't and we were able to make sure we got out of the half without points, so we had to rely on special teams and defense to do that."
On if there are characteristics that he likes about his team over the last few weeks...
"There's a ton. I think the team, there is a competitive advantage when a team has to look inward, whether it's the opposing team or everyone around you lacks belief, but you create and choose to have self-sustained belief and you work hard to gain your own sustained confidence. There's a level of confidence, but on top of that there's an extra layer of investment that, when you're fighting tooth and nail against whatever people believe and you have some success, it's very motivating and inspiring, but there is nothing like it and you get different levels of achievement across the board from your star players, your supporting players. And right now, everything that we have as a football team, how we play football, is earned on our own accord and I think down the stretch of the season that's the formula that you are trying to create to win one-score games that you know are inevitable. So, I really love this team because they made the choice, the hard choice, to not only believe in themselves but put in the work even though they've been working very hard and not getting the results, and then you're sitting there at 1-6 or 2-7. So, yeah there's a special connection within the locker room and that's because, quite literally, they didn't need anyone too but they were well aware that they were the only people that really believed in themselves. And so they choose to not listen, and there is a different level of buy in, but also a different level of pride for the Dolphins logo and what we're fighting for. So, it was great to watch them go out there and play inspired football. I was happy that I didn't feel, once we got the lead, I didn't feel like they were trying to preserve the lead. They were playing football and realistically in all three phases when they are hitting on all cylinders, it's a type of football that is a winning formula. And when a phase falls short, you see a team pick each other back up and that spells for good things in the moments to come, which you know we'll have adversity and you're going to have to thrive if you try to continue that winning formula."
