The confetti had barely settled in Santa Clara after the Seahawks' commanding Super Bowl win over the Patriots when the conversation shifted - as it always does - to what comes next. And for the Miami Dolphins, the road ahead looks long, winding, and full of question marks.
ESPN wasted no time dropping its first power rankings for the 2026 NFL season, and let’s just say the Dolphins didn’t exactly get a warm welcome. Slotted in at No. 29 out of 32 teams, Miami finds itself staring up at nearly the entire league. Only the Browns, Jets, and Raiders sit lower on the list.
That’s not the kind of company you want to keep heading into a new era.
And make no mistake - this is a full-blown new era in Miami. The Dolphins are hitting the reset button, and they’re doing it with conviction.
After years of half-measures and patchwork fixes, team owner Stephen Ross made sweeping changes this offseason, bringing in Jeff Hafley as head coach and Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager. It’s a fresh start, but one that comes with a heavy lift.
The phrase ESPN used to sum up Miami’s situation? “Time to rebuild.” That’s not a throwaway line - it’s the reality the Dolphins are facing.
Let’s unpack that.
First, there’s the quarterback situation. Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami remains a looming decision.
Whether the team opts to commit long-term or pivot in a different direction, it’s a choice that will shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come. And with limited proven options at the position currently on the roster, the Dolphins don’t exactly have the luxury of time.
Then there's the roster itself - thin in key areas and facing a tough schedule in 2026. The Dolphins have five top-100 picks in the upcoming draft, which is a major asset, but also a sign of how much work there is to do.
Miami needs to hit on those picks. Not just find contributors - they need foundational players who can help build the identity Hafley and Sullivan are trying to create.
Establishing a new culture isn’t just about slogans and team meetings. It’s about reshaping the locker room, overhauling the depth chart, and creating a consistent standard of play.
That’s not an overnight process. It takes time, the right personnel, and a clear vision from the top down.
The Dolphins are betting that Hafley and Sullivan are the right duo to lead that charge. Hafley, stepping into his first NFL head coaching role, brings a defensive-minded approach and a reputation for connecting with players. Sullivan, with years of experience in front offices, will be tasked with rebuilding the roster from the ground up.
There’s no sugarcoating it - 2026 is shaping up to be a transitional year for Miami. But sometimes, taking a step back is the only way to move forward. The Dolphins are starting over, and while the early power rankings don’t show much optimism, this offseason will be pivotal in laying the foundation for what comes next.
Rebuilds are never easy. But if Miami gets this right, the pain of 2026 could turn into promise sooner than expected.