The Miami Dolphins got their 2026 preseason rolling Friday night against the Washington Commanders, and the final score - a 20-7 loss at Northwest Stadium - told only part of the story. The real value came from what the game exposed: one offense that looked sharp when the starters were on the field, and a whole lot of trouble after that.
Miami’s first-team offense opened with a borderline perfect drive after a rough kickoff to start the night. The series had a little bit of everything: balance in the run and pass game, strong runs from De'Von Achane, a highlight grab from rookie Caleb Douglas, and solid play up front. The Commanders were without a lot of their defensive starters, but the Dolphins still handled their business and did just about everything right on that opening march.
The one moment that stood out for the wrong reason came when Willis nearly got yanked around in the open field at the end of a scramble. That’s part of the deal with a quarterback who can move, but it’s also the kind of unnecessary hit the Dolphins would rather avoid in a preseason game.
Jonah Savaiinaea was the offensive lineman who jumped off the screen most. The second-year guard looked far better than the player who struggled as a rookie in 2025, and he seemed to be moving or neutralizing Washington defenders repeatedly on that first drive. It was only a small sample, and it came against backups, but it was still a hugely encouraging sign for the 2025 second-round pick.
Everything fell apart once the backups took over.
The difference between the first offensive group and the rest of the first-half offense was glaring. Nearly everybody on that unit looked overwhelmed, and the offensive line in particular was a major problem.
That wasn’t a total shock given what had already shown up in training camp, but it was still jarring to watch. Center Andrew Meyer had a particularly rough night, especially considering he was supposed to be one of the safer bets among the reserve group and simply wasn’t.
The defense didn’t exactly steady things either. After the early stages, Washington kept piling up yards and scored 17 straight points.
Then the second half turned into another ugly stretch for the passing game. Cam Miller kept putting the ball in places where his receivers couldn’t help him, and drops became a theme.
D.J. Herman, Seydou Traore and Terrace Marshall Jr. all had their share of trouble catching what came their way.
And the situation with Quinn Ewers is getting harder to ignore. The second-year quarterback’s issues are about more than ugly numbers; too many throws are simply missing the target in obvious ways.
His first-half interception was especially rough, to the point that it was hard to tell who he was even trying to hit. There was also a first-half throw intended for Tutu Atwell where Ewers appeared to expect Atwell to break inside, but Atwell went outside and the pass ended up harmlessly incomplete.
Whatever the cause, it’s not a good look for Miami, which doesn’t appear to have a dependable backup for Willis right now.
Caleb Douglas may be the fresh face with the higher ceiling, but the opening drive also served as a reminder not to overlook Malik Washington. It was no accident that the first two offensive plays were passes from one Malik to the other, since the two have connected often in training camp. Washington didn’t do anything flashy, but he was steady, reliable and there when the offense needed him.
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Dolphins Face A Bigger Passing-Game Question After Preseason Swing
The Dolphins got a useful look at themselves against Washington in a joint practice and preseason game, but the bigger takeaway was how quickly the matchup turned into a test of depth and decision-making. Both teams held several starters out or limited, and Miami jumped out to an early 7-0 lead before the night settled into the kind of evaluation-heavy football that usually tells coaches more about roster spots than the scoreboard.
Washington announced 26 players, including key starters, would not play, which only added to the uncertainty around what either side was really showing. Still, the game carried a reminder that the passing game can change fast when the quarterback rotation shifts, and the Dolphins left with another layer to sort through as they keep assessing how their offense looks once the preseason reps start getting handed around. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Leave First Preseason Test With Two Concerns Fans Noticed
The Dolphins first preseason test offered a little of everything, starting with a crisp opening drive that ended in a touchdown before the offense settled into a much shakier rhythm. Malik Willis got Miami moving early, but the backups had a harder time sustaining anything consistent, and the passing game never found much traction after that opening burst. Even in a loss to Washington, there were enough encouraging individual moments up front and on the defensive side to suggest some parts of the roster are trending the right way.
Still, the 20-7 result left two issues hanging over the night for Miami observers. The quarterback play behind the first unit was uneven, with completions hard to come by and interceptions adding to the frustration, while the run defense also gave up too much ground and paid for it in the end zone. For a team trying to sort out depth and identity before the games count, those are the kinds of preseason problems that tend to linger until the next chance to clean them up. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Fans Cant Ignore This Early Tua Comparison
Malik Willis got his first preseason look in a Dolphins uniform and made it count, showing enough poise to settle into the offense and draw praise from coach Jeff Hafley. Miami asked for clean operation and some movement on the opening night of exhibition play, and Willis delivered a steady debut that gave the staff and fans something to watch as the quarterback picture starts to take shape.
Across the league, Tua Tagovailoas new chapter in Atlanta opened far less smoothly, which only sharpened the contrast for Dolphins observers who remember how closely every preseason snap gets judged around here. The early comparison is hard to miss, even if its only one exhibition game for each player, and it leaves Miami with a fresh talking point as the team keeps sorting out what it wants from the position moving forward. [Read more 🡒]