By C. Isaiah Smalls II March 31, 2025 1:01 PM|Miami Herald Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel provided some much-needed clarity about a few of the offensive line signings. Liam Eichenberg and James Daniels created a huge buzz among Dolphins fans when their respective signings were announced. The reactions, however, were polar opposites as Eichenberg’s return generated vitriol while Daniels came with praise. “I expect feelings from fans,” McDaniel said Monday. “Losses or failure — if you care, you assess blame somewhere.” As for Eichenberg, the re-signing likely had something to do with his positional versatility — he has experience at tackle, guard and center — yet even McDaniel said the four-year veteran needs to improve. “He really did some things for the offensive line unit that few players would do in terms of sacrifice, position switch,” McDaniel said. “Liam Eichenberg is well aware that through the different avenues of the remaining free agency and draft that if Liam Eichenberg is starting next year, he’s going to have to be the best player he’s ever been.” The Daniels signing, however, was a perfect match “between player need and team need,” according to McDaniel. “I feel super fortunate, super fired up to get him because I know by experience is the value of having a free agent with something to prove,” McDaniel said. The disappointment in Eichenberg’s re-signing comes after a rather dismal four-year tenure with the Dolphins after the team gave up a second- and third-round pick in 2021 to grab him. In 2024, Eichenberg was part of an offensive line unit that dropped to 21st in the run after a top-six finish the previous season. Eichenberg, specifically, received a Pro Football Focus grade of 53.1, which ranked 106 out of a potential 135 guards. “We see an opportunity right in front of us to improve,” McDaniel said, explaining that they want “to create some more competition at a higher level” to bring out the best in each player. “I think Liam is very comfortable with the fact that he’ll really have a chore in that he’s going to have to be his very best.” Daniels, on the other hand, is on track to return by training camp after a torn Achilles limited him to just four games in 2024. He did, however, look dominant in that short stint: his 92.9 PFF grade ranked second among all guards. “It was going to take a real strong reason to sign a free agent that was coming off of injury,” McDaniel said, calling him “a natural fit” due to his familiarity with the scheme and his “hunger” due to being a bit overlooked because of the injury. The importance of the trenches to this offense – especially with Tua Tagovailoa at the helm – cannot be understated. With Daniels, however, there’s hope that he can be the missing cog to help return the Dolphins to their 2023 offensive glory. Daniels, for one, totally understands this and looks forward to the opportunity. “Every free agent signing, especially when it’s a multiyear deal for a total of double digits, you understand that you’re being signed to a team for a reason,” Daniels said, later adding he’s “excited” for the season. “Financially when they’re giving you that much money, you’re expected to come in and be a change to the team. I understand the position I’m in, and I understand that the Dolphins believe a lot in me and that the fans are expecting a lot from me.”
