Dolphins Hold Players-Only Meeting, Aim to Regroup Against Patriots

Players-only meetings in the NFL usually signal a crisis. To see one after just one week of the season speaks volumes about the state of the Miami Dolphins. Following a 33-8 embarrassment against the Indianapolis Colts, Miami’s locker room felt the need to hit reset before its season spiraled. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, one of the team’s captains, explained the intent behind the rare gathering. “Just staying locked in,” Brooks said. “When you lose like that, it’s easy for people to get discouraged. The goal was making sure we’re together and that the belief is still there.”

Head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t sugarcoat the Dolphins’ lackluster opener, noting that his players “let the bells and whistles of Week One get the best of them.” He framed it as a tough but necessary lesson for a young team. Still, outside criticism has been harsh. Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan shredded McDaniel on ESPN, calling him “nerd boy” and accusing Miami of playing without heart or respect for their coach.

The timing of that criticism only adds fuel to the fire after the Dolphins traded star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh this offseason. Ramsey implied part of his departure stemmed from locker room frustrations, saying he wanted to play for “a team where there’s a lot of respect for the head coach.” Inside the building, though, players insisted the meeting was about solidarity, not mutiny. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gathered the offense on a scheduled off day to lay out points of emphasis for the upcoming week. “Everybody showed up,” Tagovailoa said. “That told me the belief is still strong.”

Pass rusher Chop Robinson echoed that message, stressing the need to leave the Colts game behind. “Everybody’s tuned in. Communication is better. We’re focused on being better than last week, period,” Robinson said. The Dolphins know that last season’s abysmal start, losing six of eight games, ultimately cost them a playoff spot. With the Patriots coming to Hard Rock Stadium in Week Two, the pressure is mounting. Another flat performance wouldn’t just put Miami in an early hole — it could turn the temperature up even higher under McDaniel’s seat.