What Will the Dolphins Look Like in 2025?
Expectations. An idea of how a team will perform based on roster construction, coaching, and history. The Miami Dolphins are one of many teams debuting their season tomorrow, but unlike most, their expectations remain unclear. Over the past several years, the Dolphins have lingered on the edge of playoff contention while still being mediocre. After firing Brian Flores following a disappointing 9-8 season in 2021, the Dolphins hired former 49ers offensive coordinator and offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel.
Under McDaniel, the Dolphins have yet to go the extra mile. In 2022, Miami returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, once again relying on backup quarterbacks after Tua Tagovailoa went down with multiple injuries. In 2023, however, Miami finally looked like a team capable of fulfilling its potential, winning 11 games and flashing the league’s best offense with Tagovailoa starting every game. Still, the Dolphins were bounced in the first round, then missed the playoffs altogether in 2024. The Dolphins faced many decisions this offseason, but we’ve finally made it to 2025. In this article, you’ll find my official preview for the Dolphins’ season.
The Offseason
Miami entered the offseason with several pivotal decisions. Following the disappointing end to last year, Tyreek Hill expressed his frustration, telling reporters after their loss to the Jets: “I’m out, bruh. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I gotta do what’s best for my career.” Hill and the Dolphins later met and agreed he would remain in Miami for the near future. For another star, however, that wasn’t the case.
On April 15th, the Dolphins and Jalen Ramsey mutually agreed to part ways. Miami spent much of the offseason searching for a trade partner, and on June 30th, they packaged Ramsey and disgruntled tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, bringing back their former 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft to stabilize a depleted secondary. Aside from this blockbuster move, the Dolphins stayed relatively quiet, spreading their money strategically rather than chasing star power. The Dolphins signed veteran offensive lineman James Daniels to a three-year, $24 million deal. Daniels has been one of the league’s better linemen in recent years, but came at a discount after suffering a season-ending injury in 2024. Miami also brought in former Raider Alexander Mattison to serve as a power back, but he is already set to miss the entire 2025 season after a neck injury in the preseason opener. Defensively, the Dolphins added several veteran cornerbacks with starting experience. Their biggest splash was signing Rasul Douglas, the former Bill, to a one-year deal to fill in for Kader Kohou, who was lost for the season early in camp. Miami also added depth with Jack Jones, Matthew Judon, and Willie Gay Jr., players who should contribute regularly.
In the draft, Miami used the 13th overall pick on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. The move wasn’t flashy, not a new weapon for Tua, but instead a foundational piece for the defensive front seven, a group weakened after Christian Wilkins’ departure. In the second round, the Dolphins doubled down on the trenches, selecting 324-pound guard Jonah Savaiinaea out of Arizona to bolster protection for Tagovailoa. Protection has been a glaring issue: Tagovailoa has been sacked 111 times in his career. In 2024, Miami failed to address offensive line depth after general manager Chris Grier publicly mocked fans for complaining about it.
Prediction
Still, the Miami Dolphins don’t appear to have what it takes to compete at the highest level. The issue isn’t just the players on the field; it extends to coaching and the front office. Chris Grier has been the Dolphins’ general manager for nine seasons. What has the team accomplished in that span? Exactly, Miami has leaned on the same formula year after year while cycling through three head coaches under Grier. If the Dolphins fall short again in 2025, will it spell the end of the Mike McDaniel era? Will Stephen Ross finally move on from Grier? These are questions that may surface even if Miami hovers around .500.
The Dolphins will enter 2025 with the NFL’s 11th-easiest schedule, giving them a chance to compete for a playoff spot. However, their success comes down to one factor: the health of Tua Tagovailoa. Tua has been Miami’s X-factor every year, leading them to an 11-6 record in 2023, but missing time in 2024 as the team slipped to 8-9. It’s simple: Miami cannot function without him. Defensively, Miami is a mixed bag. Their pass rush is among the league’s best, led by Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and rising star Chop Robinson. Yet, the secondary is a glaring weakness, ranked dead last by ESPN. Trading away Jalen Ramsey just one year after his record-breaking three-year, $72 million extension leaves major questions. With all this in mind, I have the Dolphins finishing 8-9, missing the playoffs for a second straight season. Another year stuck in mediocrity may finally force the organization to decide: is it time for a rebuild?
