Jeff Hafley is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Miami Dolphins, and it’s becoming increasingly clear he’s drawing from familiar territory - namely, Green Bay.
The latest addition to Hafley’s inaugural staff in Miami is a name that’ll ring a bell for anyone who’s followed Aaron Rodgers’ career closely. Nathaniel Hackett, the former Packers offensive coordinator and ex-Broncos head coach, is headed to South Beach. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Hackett will join the Dolphins as their new quarterbacks coach, stepping into a pivotal role with Tua Tagovailoa at the center of Miami’s offensive future - however uncertain that future might be.
Hackett brings a deep well of experience, particularly in quarterback development. He played a key role during Rodgers’ back-to-back MVP seasons in Green Bay and has long been respected for his ability to connect with QBs and build out efficient, quarterback-friendly systems. Now, he’ll look to bring that same touch to Miami, where Tagovailoa enters a critical stretch in his career.
But Hackett isn’t the only familiar face making the move from Green Bay to Miami. Hafley is clearly building a staff with strong Packers roots.
Wendel Davis, who served in a defensive quality control role in Green Bay, is on his way to Miami. He’ll be joined by Sean Duggan, who takes over as linebackers coach, and Ryan Downard, who steps in as defensive coordinator.
Downard had been coaching the Packers’ secondary and now takes on a much larger role in Miami, overseeing a defense that’s in need of a reset.
This wave of Packers alumni signals a clear direction for the Dolphins. Hafley is surrounding himself with coaches who understand his philosophy and bring continuity in terms of scheme and culture. That’s no small thing for a franchise that’s looking to bounce back after a disappointing 7-10 season that cost Mike McDaniel his job.
McDaniel, for all his offensive creativity, couldn’t quite get the Dolphins over the hump. Despite leading Miami to back-to-back playoff appearances - a feat the franchise hadn’t accomplished since the Dave Wannstedt era - he never managed to win a postseason game. That ultimately led to the split, and McDaniel has since landed with Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers as their new offensive coordinator.
Now, it’s Hafley’s turn to try and elevate this Dolphins team from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender. And if the early moves are any indication, he’s betting on familiarity, cohesion, and a coaching staff that knows how to build - and rebuild - from the ground up.