Read the full transcript from Head Coach Mike McDaniel's Postgame press conference on September 29, 2025.
Q: How are you feeling?
"I feel good, brother. We won a game."
Q: How does it feel to return the favor?
"Feels good. I mean, I would say that was one of the better team wins that we've had in all three phases. Defense allowing us to get the ball back. Defense stopping them on third down. Us being able to convert those third downs. Outside of that, convert a couple fourth downs to keep us in the game and then allow us to be able to go down and score. That was our goal, I would say, is to not end with three, as much times as we get down there in the red zone. It's to end with seven. And for the defense, vice versa. Not allow them to get seven, allow them to get three. I think we did a really good job with that today and this is the swag, I think, we've got to continue to flow over to next week's game."
Q: As much as you can, can you explain and take us through your experience this morning?
"Probably one of the worst experiences I've had in terms of waking up, and that happens on a game day. My eye was swollen shut, and thanks to the medical staff, they ended up helping with antibiotics and whatnot. I'm just glad I was able to go out there and play."
Q: And you just woke up that way?
"Just woke up that way. Kind of had some thoughts of what it could be, what it might be, but none of those seemed to be what it was, whether it was a sty or whether it was maybe I was allergic to something. It was an allergic reaction. We'll be able to figure it out when we get back."
Q: Was that a factor at all during the game? Did that affect your vision or anything?
"No."
Q: How did you like playing with the visor? Obviously, it worked for you to throw those four touchdowns, but Jaylen [Waddle] also said it looked swaggy.
"It was different. I can't remember the last time I've played with a visor outside of high school. I never used the visor in college, and I never used the visor being in the league."
Q: After one of those touchdowns, did you have an eye patch celebration?
"I think I've seen one of my teammates do it. They were like this and then they did that. So, I just did it back to them."
Q: Between Ollie [Gordon II]'s touchdown with the angle screen and 'Brew' [Aaron Brewer] coming in on the crack or [De'Von] Achane's touchdown, what did you think of the game that [Head Coach] Mike [McDaniel] called today?
"I think he called a great game. I think he calls really good games. It's just that it always comes down to the execution for us. I think our O-line did a phenomenal job when it comes to the pockets that we had to be able to sit in the back there and then throw the ball, be able to distribute the ball to our playmakers. Then outside of that, in the run game as well, I think they did a phenomenal job today. I think the running backs could tell you the same about the O-line. The receivers could tell you the same. Fullbacks, tight ends, everyone liked it."
Q: [Offensive Coordinator] Frank Smith was on the sideline this game. How did that affect the game if at all?
"I mean, Frank [Smith] was down. Mike [McDaniel] wanted to change it up a little bit because of how he had things going this past week with Frank. Frank, he will continue to harp on the things that we've talked about. I think you need someone like that on the sidelines, whether you're looking at the plays or whatnot. I think he helps a lot with the leadership aspect of getting the guys going, keeping the guys in it regardless of the score. Then continuing to play with good operation. I think that's what led to guys not straying from that, with the personnel groupings, operation with the guys up front, all of that."
Q: So basically, it helped processes run smoother because when he's up in the box, how often do you really get to talk to Frank [Smith]?
"Well, I don't get to talk to Frank [Smith] when he's in the box. So, Frank being down there was really helpful. I don't think I'd be the only one saying that when it comes to players on the field."
Q: What do you think this win overall can do for the team?
"It gives us some confidence in our play, in each other. It kind of gives us the flow back a little bit. But it's also what we're looking to do with this. You can feel all of that, but if you're feeling yourself too much coming into a short week to play against a good opponent, that could also hurt you. So, just keeping guys in line, allowing them to feel the win. We get to enjoy the win, but after tomorrow, we've got to get back to work. It's a short week. Do we want to feel like we did the other week or do we want to continue to buildoff of a game like today?"
Q: The run game, I think RB OIlie Gordon II and RB De'Von Achane combined for 30 carries, give or take. The commitment to running the ball, the willingness to run the ball, how does that open up things for you guys? How does that open windows for you in the passing game?
"It opens everything up based on what the front is trying to do and what the 'backers are seeing as well. So, with our boot game, it helped with that. With our play-action game, it also helped with that. Then, as much as we ran the ball under center, we also ran it a good amount in the gun or in the pistol. So, then now, it's what do we want to do on the second level defensively. So, I definitely would say that, that had a big impact in the pass game."
Q: I also want to go back to that OL Aaron Brewer block. Do you notice a little lights go off in people's eyes, in linemen's eyes, when you call a play like that, knowing that they get to get out in space and hopefully catch a DB on an island?
"Yes and no. When guys are expecting it, that's when you can see, 'Yeah, this was the play I knew I wanted them to call.' But then when it's one of those where it's just in the moment, you just never know what's going to happen. So, ended up throwing the ball, and, yeah, that was a collision."
Q: How about OL Daniel Brunskill as an eligible receiver so often, did you ever think you might throw to him at some point?
"I don't know. Based off of this week, no. But then maybe we build off of that."
Q: What did OL Daniel Brunskill provide when he was in there blocking as an extra lineman?
"Some comfort in the back there. Him being one-on-one instead of one of our fast, tight-end dudes being one-on-one – and that has nothing to – not trying to disregard their skill sets, but that's what Brunskill does. So, you find more comfort in the back there knowing that."
Q: Tua, since Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel's got here in 2022, can you think of a comparable moment today where you guys respond in such a way after something that happened, like what happened last week?
"I would say there's been some changes with everyone. There's been changes with everyone with the things that we want to be able to knock out, the things that we want to be able to do throughout the week. Not necessarily leading guys to think this, that, or the other. It's detail-oriented, where here are the three things for offense, here are the three things for defense, here are the two or three things for special teams. That's how we're going to win the game. That's what we can hang our hats on. I think that's been one of the big promises this week, and I would say it's worked."
Q: How did this one feel for you after back-to-back three interception games? People are over-analyzing everything you say in the media. Then, just to add on, this morning you wake up with a swollen eye. How did it feel to just come out and throw four touchdowns and get the win today?
"It feels good. Any time you can get a win with your team, I think that's the best feeling. People are going to talk. They're going to say what they feel they need to say. But at the end of the day, this is our job. This is what we do, and we've got to go out there and execute to the best of our ability. However the cards play out, that's how they play out."
