NFL fans react to Dolphins extending Mike McDaniel's contract through 2028: "Only way to develop a culture"

The Miami Dolphins made a big move on Friday morning as they extended coach Mike McDaniel. The 41-year-old will now be under contract with the Dolphins through the 2028 NFL season. Financial details of the contract have not been released.

McDaniel has helped turn Miami around in his first two seasons with a 9-8 record in 2022 and an even better 11-6 record in 2023, making it to the playoffs in both seasons.

ESPN's Jeff Darlington was the first to report the news of McDaniel's contract extension on X, which of course brought many fan reactions.

Miami fans were ecstatic as they believe the coach is leading the team in the right direction. Some fans were even bold enough to say that he may be the best coach the team has had since the legendary Don Shula, who coached from 1970 until 1995.

The comments on X remained optimistic. However, some were quick to note that Mike McDaniel will need to lead the team to a playoff win.

The Miami Dolphins lost in the Wild Card round of the last two seasons, to the Buffalo Bills earlier and the Kansas City Chiefs most recently.

"Best coach we’ve had since Shula," one fan declared.

"Playoff wins are obviously the final piece to the puzzle!" said another.

"Well deserved. He has done WONDERS for Miami. I bet he leads them to a Super Bowl by 2028," another fan predicted

The positive comments continued and it appears the Dolphins fan base is confident that Mike McDaniel will lead them back to a Super Bowl.

Miami had the best offense in the National Football League in 2023 and the team has already extended quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason. Now, with key pieces and the head coach under contract for the next four years, the Dolphins' future looks promising.

"No one else I’d rather want to coach this team!!! Well deserved," one user on X said.

"Miami Mike is here to stay," said another person.

"I mean, this is a great move," stated a fan.

Mike McDaniel's route to become Dolphins head coach

Mike McDaniel's journey to become a coach in the National Football League is unlike most. He was once a ball boy for his hometown Denver Broncos and grew up playing wide receiver.

He received an academic scholarship to play at Yale University and played wide receiver for the school's football team.

McDaniel was a coaching intern for the Denver Broncos in 2005 and then hired by the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant from 2006 until 2008. He then left the NFL for a season and was a running backs coach for the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions.

From 2011 until 2017, he worked for the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons. It was then that he was hired as the run game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and made a name for himself.

He helped lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021.

After taking the job for the Miami Dolphins, Mike McDaniel created a new winning culture in South Florida. He has a 20-14 record as coach and also led Miami to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in 23 seasons.