Dolphins Look to the Super Bowl Sidelines for a Blueprint to Build From
Another Super Bowl Sunday is coming and going without the Miami Dolphins in the mix - a familiar feeling for fans who’ve grown used to watching the playoffs from the outside looking in. It’s been over two decades since Miami made a serious postseason run, and once again, the team finds itself in reset mode.
But this time around, there’s a little more substance behind the scenes - and maybe, just maybe, a little more reason to believe things could finally change.
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will be watching the big game too, but not just as a spectator. He’s got a unique connection to both franchises taking the field.
The Seahawks and Patriots - this year’s Super Bowl contenders - are led by Eliot Wolf and John Schneider, two general managers who, like Sullivan, came up through the Green Bay Packers system. That lineage traces back to NFL front office legends Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson, names that carry weight in personnel circles.
A Familiar Tree, A New Direction
For Dolphins fans, the rise of the Patriots - again - stings. Just a few years ago, New England was in disarray, bottoming out alongside the Jets in the AFC East.
Now, after a coaching change and a front office overhaul, they’re back on top. The Seahawks have charted a similar path, rebuilding quickly and efficiently.
Miami, meanwhile, hit the reset button back in 2019 with hopes of a full-scale rebuild. That effort never quite got off the ground. Now, with Sullivan running the front office and Jeff Hafley stepping in as head coach, the organization is trying again - but this time with a clearer blueprint.
Sullivan doesn’t need to look far for inspiration. The success of his peers - Wolf and Schneider - is a tangible reminder that the right structure, the right vision, and the right leadership can turn things around fast in the NFL.
A New Regime, A Familiar Challenge
Let’s be clear: no one’s expecting the Dolphins to be hoisting a Lombardi Trophy in 2026. This isn’t an overnight fix.
But what’s different now is the foundation. Sullivan brings with him not just experience, but a pedigree rooted in one of the league’s most respected front office trees.
He’s studied what works. He’s seen how to build a roster the right way.
And according to team owner Stephen Ross, he’ll have the resources to do it.
Of course, none of that guarantees success. The Dolphins’ struggles in recent years weren’t just about talent - they were about vision, consistency, and execution.
Miami cycled through head coaches, missed on key draft picks, and wrestled with salary cap issues. Much of that dysfunction stemmed from Ross’s long-standing loyalty to former GM Chris Grier, whose tenure was marked by uneven roster construction and a lack of sustained development.
Now, the keys have been handed to Sullivan, and the early signs suggest a more disciplined, long-term approach.
What Needs to Happen Next
For this rebuild to stick, two things need to happen - and fast. First, Miami has to figure out its quarterback situation. Whether that means developing a young talent or making a bold move in the offseason, the Dolphins can’t afford to stay stuck in neutral at the most important position on the field.
Second, the cap situation needs to be cleaned up. Years of aggressive spending and short-term thinking have left Miami in a financial bind. Sullivan’s ability to navigate that - while still adding key pieces - will be critical.
Then comes the coaching. Hafley’s job will be to take whatever talent Sullivan assembles and turn it into a cohesive, competitive team. That means player development, culture-building, and game-day execution - all areas where Miami has come up short in recent years.
A Glimmer of Hope
None of this guarantees a Super Bowl appearance. But for the first time in a long time, the Dolphins are being led by someone who’s been part of a proven model. Sullivan’s background, connections, and experience offer a sliver of hope - and for a fan base that’s grown weary of false starts, that matters.
The road ahead is long, and the margin for error is slim. But if Miami is going to climb back into contention, this is the kind of leadership it needs. The kind that doesn’t just talk about building a winner - but actually knows how to do it.
On Sunday night, Dolphins fans will once again watch someone else play for the title. But this time, they might also be watching a glimpse of what could be - if the pieces in Miami finally fall into place.