Former Dolphins RB Doesn’t Mince Words when Talking about Miami’s Culture Under Mike McDaniel
In recent years, a number of folks who played under Mike McDaniel have come out and criticized the Miami Dolphins’ culture under his leadership, and a former Miami running back is just the latest to do so.
Raheem Mostert was a member of the Dolphins for the lion’s share of the McDaniel era and from the 2022 season through the 2024 campaign, so he knew what the culture was like better than almost anyone.
According to him, the problem was a lack of respect among team members, and McDaniel allegedly, “I felt like there was a lack of respect just because [McDaniel] didn’t put any emphasis on trying to show respect to players… if you got guys cussing coaches out on the sideline but not just one time, numerous times, and even put hands on a coach, that’s different.”
Raheem Mostert reveals shocking details about the Miami Dolphins' culture under former head coach Mike McDaniel, alleging a lack of respect within the team:
"I felt like there was a lack of respect just because [McDaniel] didn’t put any emphasis on trying to show respect to… pic.twitter.com/NINKKXSpGk
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 5, 2026
The fact that Mostert had harsh words for the Dolphins’ former head coach is particularly notable, as he enjoyed a career year playing for McDaniel earlier in the decade. Back in the 2023 season, he ran for a career-high 1,012 yards and also paced the league in rushing touchdowns with 18 in 15 starts.
Mostert earned the only Pro Bowl bid of his career in that season as well, and he was one of the top offensive players on a Dolphins squad that posted an 11-win campaign.
The Dolphins finally decided to part ways with McDaniel shortly following an underwhelming 2025 campaign after he spent the last four seasons as their leader from the sidelines. The 43-year-old’s tenure as Miami’s head coach was defined by an inability to get the team over the hump in the playoffs.
Despite coaching some highly talented squads, McDaniel never led the Dolphins to so much as a single playoff victory and was unable to help them snap their lengthy playoff drought. Miami clearly was in need of a change of scenery at the head coaching position when it let go of McDaniel, and the hope is that new head coach Jeff Hafley can lead the team to new heights.
