The Miami Dolphins may not have much room for optimism in the standings this season after stripping down the roster to get younger, but that doesn’t mean the year is without purpose. The bigger question is what kind of foundation new head coach Jeff Hafley can lay in his first season, and that’s the lens this team should be viewed through.
The expectation is clear enough: the Dolphins probably won’t win much. But that’s not supposed to be the measuring stick for Hafley right now. Year 1 is about building something that can last, not chasing quick fixes or judging the whole operation by the final record.
Around that bigger picture, the team’s other storylines keep piling up. The Dolphins’ defensive line and linebackers remain part of the discussion as the roster takes shape, while there’s also no reason to panic over the lack of a Jordyn Brooks extension. Brooks is entering the final year of his contract, which adds another layer to how Miami handles its defense moving forward.
There’s also buzz around the rookies who are already making impressions. Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson have reportedly stood out to the coaching staff and teammates, giving the Dolphins at least a few encouraging early signs from their young group.
And Brooks had some striking praise for another rookie linebacker, Jacob Rodriguez, calling his 2026 season at Texas Tech the greatest ever for a college linebacker. That kind of endorsement only adds to the intrigue around the Dolphins’ incoming talent as they continue reshaping the roster.
In Other News...
ESPN Just Backed The Dolphins Reset In A Way Fans Wont Expect
The Dolphins spent the 2026 offseason acting like a team that was willing to take a hard look at its own timeline and start over. Miami reshaped the roster in a major way, added Malik Willis at quarterback, and turned to the draft to help rebuild the receiver room with Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr. all brought in as part of the effort to add depth and flexibility on offense.
ESPNs offseason review reflected that direction, giving Miami an A- and framing the operation as a full reset rather than a quick patch job. The encouraging part for Dolphins fans is that the plan does not stop with the moves already made, since the organization appears to be setting itself up to keep improving from here, with more room to maneuver down the road than many teams in this situation usually have. [Read more 🡒]
Tyreek Hills Next Chapter Is Already Taking Shape Without Miami
Tyreek Hills next move is still taking shape, but it is no longer tied to Miami. After the Dolphins moved on from the veteran receiver, the focus has shifted to his recovery and what his market might look like once he is ready to play again. At 32, Hill has been documenting the rehabilitation process from the knee injury that ended his previous season, keeping his name in the conversation even without a team attached.
A mini-documentary has offered a glimpse into that comeback, including a doctor check-up and a message that his progress is going in the right direction. If Hill does hit the open market for his next NFL chapter, several clubs have already been floated as possible fits, with Baltimore, Washington and Atlanta among the teams mentioned. For now, though, the only certainty is that Hills return to the field will draw plenty of attention wherever it lands. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Suddenly Have A Tight End Problem They Thought Was Solved
The Dolphins brought in Ben Sims to compete for a roster spot, adding another body to a tight end room that still needs sorting as camp approaches. Sims, who has spent time with the Packers and Vikings, is viewed mostly as a blocking tight end, and Miami is betting that his familiarity with the job can at least give the group a steady in-line option.
So far, though, Sims has not made a strong enough early impression during offseason work to lock anything down. Miami is still hopeful he can take a step once training camp starts, but if that doesn't happen, the team may not just stand pat and wait for the answer to arrive on its own. [Read more 🡒]