The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of a major organizational reset, and the moves at the top are making waves across the league. Just last week, the team parted ways with head coach Mike McDaniel and brought in Jon-Eric Sullivan as the new general manager-a hire that signals a new era in Miami. Now, all eyes are on the Dolphins’ head coaching search, and a familiar name is quickly rising to the top of the list: Jeff Hafley.
Hafley, currently the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, has emerged as the betting favorite to take over the Dolphins' sideline. The connection makes sense-he and Sullivan overlapped for two seasons in Green Bay, and that shared background is clearly playing a role in this process.
But Hafley’s appeal goes beyond just familiarity. He’s built a strong reputation as a defensive mind who connects well with players and has a clear vision for how to build a modern defense.
On Thursday, Hafley completed his interview with the Dolphins, and momentum has only grown since. While no official decision has been made, his candidacy is gaining serious traction.
But Hafley isn’t the only high-profile name in the mix. The Dolphins are doing their due diligence, as they should, and Thursday was a big day in that process. Miami conducted two virtual interviews with other top-tier candidates-defensive coaches who bring serious credentials and could be a fit for what the Dolphins are trying to build.
One of those names is Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who’s scheduled to interview with the Dolphins on Friday. Shula is a rising star in coaching circles and is also drawing interest from the Steelers and Ravens. He’s currently preparing for the Rams’ playoff matchup against the Bears, but he’s carving out time to explore head coaching opportunities-a sign of how in-demand he’s become.
While the coaching carousel spins, the Dolphins are also facing big questions on the field-particularly at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa’s 2025 season ended on a sour note, with the former first-round pick getting benched.
There’s been plenty of speculation about what went wrong, and even some theories from teammates. The big question now: can it be fixed?
The answer to that will play a huge role in how this team moves forward, especially with a new coaching staff coming in.
The offseason is also a chance to take stock of the team’s recent roster moves. Miami lost several big-name players last year, and there was plenty of debate at the time about how much they’d miss them. Now, with a full season in the books, there’s a clearer picture of how those former Dolphins performed with their new teams-and whether Miami’s front office made the right calls.
There’s no sugarcoating it: the Dolphins are at a crossroads. They’ve got a new GM, they’re searching for a new head coach, and they’re trying to figure out if their quarterback is still the guy to lead them forward. The clock is ticking, and while there’s excitement around a fresh start, there’s also pressure to get this right.
The Dolphins also requested an interview with linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, adding another name to their growing list of candidates. Meanwhile, John Harbaugh-once considered a top target for Miami-has taken the head coaching job with the New York Giants.
That’s a significant development, and it’s forced the Dolphins to pivot quickly. Harbaugh is reportedly targeting Anthony Weaver as his defensive coordinator in New York, which could have ripple effects on the Dolphins’ own search.
Internally, the team is still processing the departure of McDaniel. Tight end Darren Waller recently spoke about being the last person to see McDaniel before his firing, and also touched on the team’s struggles-particularly the regression of Tagovailoa. It’s clear that the end of the 2025 season left a mark on this locker room.
In other news, former Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith was selected in the fifth round of the UFL Draft by Ted Ginn’s Columbus Aviators. Smith, a former second-round pick, is looking to reboot his career in the spring league.
So, where does this all leave the Dolphins? In transition, yes-but also with a real opportunity.
With Jon-Eric Sullivan now steering the ship, the next head coach hire will set the tone for what’s to come. Whether that’s Jeff Hafley or someone else, Miami needs a leader who can steady the ship, unlock the potential of the roster, and finally get the Dolphins back to consistent contention.
The search is on-and the stakes couldn’t be higher.