The Dolphins didn’t come away with a win in Week 3, but they did leave with something that has been missing through the first two games: cleaner protection.
Miami fell 24-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs, yet for long stretches it managed to stand up to one of the NFL’s top teams. For a roster still trying to find its footing in the early part of the 2026 season, that mattered. The kind of steady progress Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley have talked about building can’t happen overnight, but games like this are part of that process.
The biggest step forward came where Miami needed it most. Malik Willis had been sacked nine times over the Dolphins’ first two outings, with five coming against the Raiders in Week 1 and four more against the 49ers in Week 2.
Against Kansas City, that problem disappeared for a day. Willis wasn’t sacked at all.
At the center of that turnaround was Aaron Brewer. Miami’s starting center graded as the team’s top offensive lineman in Week 3, posting a 72.6 overall mark from Pro Football Focus. He didn’t allow a sack against the Chiefs - nobody on the line did - and through three games in 2026, he still hasn’t given up a sack.
That kind of stability matters even more now with De’Von Achane out for the season because of an ACL tear. The Dolphins need every healthy piece to keep moving in the right direction, and Brewer has become one of the most important of them. His performance is shaping up to be a major factor in how many games Miami can win in 2026 and beyond.
In Other News...
Dolphins Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Chance They Cant Ignore
Marvin Harrison Jr.s NFL start has been quieter than many expected, but the possibility of a change in scenery is now drawing attention across the league. The Cardinals wide receiver has reportedly landed on the trade radar, and ESPN insiders say teams are keeping tabs on his situation as Arizona weighs its options. For a Dolphins team always looking for more explosive playmakers, the fit is easy to see.
Miamis receiver room could use another high-ceiling target, and Harrison would bring the kind of upside that can change the complexion of an offense. The question is how far the Cardinals are willing to go, since some around the league believe a mid-to-late draft pick could be enough to get a deal done. For the Dolphins, it is the kind of opportunity that does not come around often, even if the price and timing still have to line up. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Face A Risky Receiver Decision They Can't Ignore
The Dolphins are at least keeping tabs on a wide receiver situation that could shape their next move, with ESPNs Jeremy Fowler reporting that teams are monitoring Arizona for a possible trade involving Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft has not matched the early expectation that came with his selection, but his name is now circulating as a potential buy-low option for clubs that believe a change of scenery could help.
For Miami, the intrigue is obvious because the team has enough salary-cap flexibility to take on his contract if it decides the upside is worth the risk. The price tag being discussed is manageable, too, which puts the Dolphins in a familiar roster-building lane, but any real pursuit would still hinge on a careful look at why things have stalled in Arizona before they commit draft capital to a receiver with clear talent and equally clear questions. [Read more 🡒]
Jacob Rodriguez Is Giving Dolphins Fans A New Reason To Believe
The Dolphins have found an early defensive anchor in rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who has already moved into a starting role and taken on the responsibility of relaying the calls. Through three games, he has piled up 28 tackles and an interception, production that has quickly pushed him toward the top of the league conversation for first-year defenders. For a Miami defense looking for stability and playmaking, Rodriguez has given the unit both.
The buzz has followed him beyond the locker room, with betting markets now treating him like a serious Defensive Rookie of the Year contender. Rodriguez has welcomed the attention, but he has kept the focus on the bigger picture and the kind of team success Miami needs if his early rise is going to mean anything in the long run. For the Dolphins, the encouraging part is not just the numbers, but how quickly he has become someone they can trust in the middle of it all. [Read more 🡒]