Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross voiced his frustration to coach Mike McDaniel in their weekly postgame meeting following Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
"He was really frustrated, just like I was," McDaniel said Monday, via ESPN. "We talked about the challenge ahead to get ready for the Chargers, and that was really the extent of it."
The owner-coach meeting is routine, not an outward indication of where McDaniel's job stands.
Sunday's loss was a brutal way to fall to 1-4, the club's worst start since 2021.
Miami jumped out to a 17-0 lead, with the defense forcing turnovers and the offense cashing them in. It looked to be a needed laugher for a team that's been in a proverbial vice-grip all season.
However, the hot start cooled in a hurry.
The defense couldn't stop Carolina's rushing attack, allowing 239 yards on the ground, including 206 to Rico Dowdle. The Dolphins offense went in the tank, going three-and-out on four of their final seven possessions.
The collapse marked the sixth loss in franchise history when leading by 17-plus points at any point during the game -- first since Week 5, 2018, versus Cincinnati.
"It's frustrating because there's a lot of talking, and we need to major in doing," McDaniel said. "I don't think anybody wants to hear me talk about it as much as I don't feel like saying it, but it doesn't change the steadfast reality that is: You have to get better at things or you'll continue having the same results."
If the losses like Sunday continue to pile up, McDaniel's meetings with Ross will eventually cease to exist.
