The Miami Dolphins entered the 2025 season with playoff expectations and a roster built on hope and high-priced talent. But by the time the final whistle blew on their campaign, it was clear: the plan didn’t work. Now, with a new general manager and head coach steering the ship, the Dolphins are staring down a major roster overhaul - not just in 2026, but likely well into 2027.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. The Dolphins banked on a few key developments: Tua Tagovailoa taking the next step, the offensive line finally stabilizing, and a young defense rising to the occasion. Instead, they got a season full of misfires, injuries, and unmet expectations.
Let’s break down where things went wrong - and why the Dolphins are heading into 2026 with more questions than answers.
Jonah Savaiinaea: Rookie Growing Pains or Missed Evaluation?
When Miami traded up to grab Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round, they were betting on upside. The hope was that he’d bring physicality and consistency to a line that’s been a revolving door for years.
Instead, Savaiinaea struggled to find his footing. There were flashes - a few games where the potential was evident - but overall, he didn’t look ready for the role Miami asked him to play.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the Dolphins made a similar gamble a few years ago with Liam Eichenberg. That one didn’t pan out either. The Dolphins needed immediate help in the trenches, and Savaiinaea wasn’t able to deliver.
Tua Tagovailoa: The Leadership Void
Tua Tagovailoa was supposed to be the stabilizing force - the quarterback who made everything click. Instead, his 2025 season raised more concerns than it answered.
Early struggles turned into visible frustration, and at times, he deflected blame rather than owning the offense’s shortcomings. That’s not what you want from your franchise quarterback.
By season’s end, Tua had been benched - again - and his future in Miami feels more uncertain than ever. The Dolphins built the offense around him. Now, they may be preparing to build without him.
James Daniels: A Costly Injury Gamble
James Daniels was the Dolphins’ big swing in free agency - a veteran lineman brought in to anchor a unit desperate for consistency. But after just three snaps, his season was over. An injury landed him on injured reserve, and he never returned.
Now, Miami faces a tough decision. Daniels carries a nearly $5 million cap hit in 2026, but releasing him would save just $114,000. That math alone likely keeps him on the roster, but the Dolphins still don’t know what they have in him - and that’s a problem.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: The Fit That Never Was
When the Dolphins signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the idea was simple: add size to a receiver room filled with speed. He was supposed to be the red zone threat, the big-bodied target who could complement Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. But that never materialized.
Westbrook-Ikhine struggled to carve out a role in the offense. For a player who once scored nine touchdowns in a season with the Titans, his lack of impact in Miami was glaring. Whether it was a scheme fit or something else, it just didn’t work - and he’s likely on his way out.
Malik Washington: Opportunity Missed
Malik Washington had a golden opportunity in 2025. When Tyreek Hill went down, the rookie wideout was thrust into a bigger role.
But instead of seizing the moment, Washington blended into the background. He didn’t make the kind of impact the Dolphins were hoping for.
That doesn’t mean Washington won’t be part of the plan going forward - he’s still young, and there’s potential there. But based on what we saw this past season, he looks more like a WR3 in this system than a future star.
Jaylen Waddle: Solid, But Not a No. 1
Jaylen Waddle’s 2025 season was a mixed bag. On paper, the numbers weren’t awful - but for a player expected to step into a No. 1 role when Hill was sidelined, he didn’t quite deliver.
Waddle had just two 100-yard games and failed to crack 80 yards in 10 others. That’s not the kind of production you need from your top receiver.
Some of that falls on the quarterback play - Tua’s inconsistency certainly didn’t help. But Waddle also struggled to take over games the way elite receivers do. He’s a dynamic talent, no doubt, but the Dolphins needed more from him in a season where every offensive weapon had to step up.
Looking Ahead
The Dolphins are entering a new era - one led by a fresh front office and coaching staff. That usually means big changes, and based on how 2025 played out, change is exactly what this team needs. From the quarterback to the offensive line to the wide receiver depth chart, nothing feels set in stone.
2026 might not be the bounce-back year fans are hoping for, but it could be the reset this franchise needs. The pieces that didn’t fit in 2025 will likely be moved out, and the Dolphins will try - again - to build a roster that can compete in a loaded AFC.
But one thing’s for sure: the margin for error is gone. The next wave of decisions will define the direction of this team for years to come.