Darren Waller said he was booted from exit meeting right before Mike McDaniel’s firing

The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel last week, and Darren Waller almost found himself in the thick of it.

“I was at the crime scene, bro. I think I was the last person to see him before he got fired,” the Dolphins tight end said during a recent appearance on Johnny Manziel’s podcast.

Waller said he was in his exit interview with McDaniel to discuss possibilities for the 2026 season before owner Stephen Ross “opened the door” about 10 minutes into their discussion.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) catches the ball in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

“He comes in and joins the conversation,” Waller said. “We were all talking, thinking about the year, and Stephen Ross said to me, ‘I’m excited to see you again next year.’ Then the conversation stops. »

Waller said Ross then gave him a specific look, which Manziel understood.

“It’s time for you to get the hell out,” Manziel said, laughing.

“I looked at Mike and he said we’ll finish the conversation later…I walk out of the meeting, I get a massage, I check my phone and I see he’s been fired. I’m like, ‘This is cold.'”

Ross spoke of the need for “global change” after the team missed the playoffs for a second straight year with a 7-10 record this season.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel walks to the locker room after the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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The Dolphins made the playoffs twice in a row during McDaniel’s first two seasons as head coach, but were eliminated in the first round each time. The following season, they were eliminated after suffering an unexpected loss to the New York Jets in the team’s season finale.

McDaniel’s final season in Miami was tumultuous, highlighted by quarterback Tua TagovailoaIt is his difficulties and his possible benching during the last three games of the season.

As one of his last major changes as head coach, McDaniel said this week that the Dolphins would hold a quarterback competition for the 2026 season, a move Tagovailoa appeared to welcome this week when he confirmed he was open to a “fresh start” elsewhere.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel speak to reporters. (HAL HABIB / The Palm Beach Post / USA TODAY NETWORK)

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In addition to replacing their head coach and finding a reliable candidate for the quarterback position, the Dolphins will be looking for a long-time replacement for general manager Chris Grier following his midseason firing.

Paulina Dedaj of Fox News contributed to this report.

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