Mike McDaniel shifted away from loud declarations of identity to real, physical work, leaning into a tougher Dolphins image in a Saturday exhibition against Detroit. The plan centered on Wilson’s development and comfort in the offense, given Tagovailoa’s injury history, while testing a more run-focused identity with backups. Eskridge and Conner contributed in the first half as McDaniel tweaked the system, and Ewers provided balance in the second half. The exercise emphasized operation, timing, and getting players in and out of the huddle, with Wilson’s progression as the season’s clearest immediate storyline.