Three Key Reasons the Dolphins Offense Can Return to Elite Form in 2025

From the fastest team in football to a team that struggled to even obtain first downs just a year later, the Miami Dolphins have done a complete nosedive. In 2023, the Dolphins took the league by storm, setting multiple records in Week Three by scoring 70 points against the Denver Broncos and totaling over 720 yards from scrimmage. These weren’t the only impressive feats from the Fins. The team led the entire NFL in total offensive yards with 6,822 and ranked second in total points scored, averaging a mind-blowing 29.2 points per game. Not only were their stats off the charts, but the team also held all five spots in Next Gen Stats for fastest ball carriers.

In 2024, the only factor that remained the same was the Dolphins' speed. In a year where Tua Tagovailoa played just 11 games, the offense finished 18th in total yards and averaged the 22nd-most points per game at 20.3. When Tua didn’t play, Miami reached an unwatchable level, averaging just 13.3 points and recording the third-fewest passing yards in the six games he missed. They went 2-4 in that stretch, showing just how reliant this team is on their starting quarterback.

Tua’s absence wasn’t the team's only offensive issue. The decline of Tyreek Hill was on full display. He posted his lowest stats in every major category since 2019—a season in which he missed several games due to injury. Still, Hill is expected to bounce back to elite form in what could be a make-or-break year for the Dolphins. In this article, you will find three different reasons why the Dolphins can return to their once-elite level of offensive play.

The Addition of a Physical Receiver

The Dolphins have lacked a true number-three wide receiver over the last several years, even at their best level of offensive play. Miami attempted to add Odell Beckham Jr. as a chance to spread out their offense, but that backfired right away, as the former New York Giant played in just nine games. Miami originally signed Odell to a one-year, three-million-dollar deal that was deemed a bargain, only for him to total 55 yards on just nine receptions. In Week 15, the Dolphins decided it was best to part ways with their failed experiment.

With that being said, the Dolphins went a different route ahead of the 2025 season. Instead of adding another fast deep threat, the team added a tall, physical threat who could come down with jump balls in the end zone while making highlight plays. This addition was Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, the former Tennessee Titan who broke onto the scene in 2024, reeling in nine touchdowns on 32 receptions along with 497 yards. Miami inked Westbrook-Ikhine to a two-year, $5.99 million deal, ensuring the team would have a chance to have a true number-three wide receiver for the next two seasons.

The 28-year-old is known for having some of the best perimeter blocking in the league while also being a nightmare to cover for opposing cornerbacks. His six-foot-two, 211-pound frame comes with speed and size, making him a physical red zone threat who can haul in deep throws. Westbrook-Ikhine will join an offense accompanied by elite speed in both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. This will give Tua Tagovailoa a new versatile receiver to feed touchdowns.

A Fully Healthy Season from Tua Tagovailoa

It’s quite obvious how this offense operates when Tua Tagovailoa is at full health. In 2023, the talented lefty topped the league in most passing stats, leading with 4,624 yards and ranking 5th in passing touchdowns with 29. That was the first year Tagovailoa played all 17 games, and that streak continued into 2024. However, Tua has a history of injuries.

In college, the former fifth overall pick ended his Alabama career with a season-ending hip surgery that cost him a chance to go first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2021, he suffered fractured ribs that sidelined him for multiple weeks. In 2022, his injuries worsened—Tagovailoa is widely known as the quarterback with multiple concussions. In his third NFL season, he suffered three separate concussions, with many calling for him to retire. Yet, 2023 silenced those critics as he played in every game for Miami.

Unfortunately, in 2024, Tua suffered another concussion in Week Two against the Bills and later hurt his hip again during the final weeks as the Dolphins made a late playoff push. There’s no guarantee Tagovailoa will remain healthy, but there’s still a real chance he plays all his games. That’s exactly what the Dolphins need. They rely on their franchise quarterback’s health because when he’s on the field, he’s undoubtedly one of the best. Since 2021, Miami has held a 4-10 record in games Tua missed, with the offense noticeably struggling without him. The team’s success hinges on his health, and the 2025 season could potentially be his last with Miami if he can’t stay on the field in the games that truly matter.

Increased Emphasis on Run Game & Balance

Watching the Dolphins in 2024 felt like the opposing teams knew the plays before they were executed. The sheer number of weak halfback pitches that lost yards, despite the Dolphins’ array of fast running backs, was exhausting to watch. Along with defenses’ newfound ability to stuff their run game, the Dolphins had no answers when Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were heavily covered. Teams began frequently running Cover Two, a scheme that positions two safeties deep in the secondary. This effectively takes away deep passes, forcing Tua Tagovailoa to rely on shorter throws.

The Buffalo Bills, a division rival, were particularly effective at employing this scheme against Miami, using it 73.0% of the time in their matchups, compared to 52.7% against other teams. To counter this, the Dolphins’ offensive line will feature three new faces: Jonah Savaiinaea, Patrick Paul, and James Daniels. Along with this, the team replaced aging speed back Raheem Mostert with a smashmouth-style running back in Alexander Mattison, while also drafting former Oregon State prodigy Ollie Gordon. The Dolphins were crowded at the halfback position with three eerily similar backs, with De’Von Achane as the lead—a role he will continue to hold. If Miami can perfectly execute this rushing attack, it will force defenses to pull away from their commitment to the passing game, opening up opportunities for deep plays.