In the 2022-2023 season, the Dolphins were expected to be contenders with the trade of Chiefs’ superstar WR Tyreek Hill, in which they were. But the Dolphins still have not won a playoff game since 2000, and it seems like the team has completely fallen apart in the 2025-2026 season. So, what happened?
Context
When the Dolphins fired toxic HC Brian Flores in 2022 offseason, they found his replacement in San Francisco’s offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Dolphins fans now say that Brian Flores was the better coach, but I disagree. Anyways, in the 2022-2023 season, Mike was seen as the savior of not only starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, but the whole Dolphins team. The Dolphins started off hot, going 8-3. Regardless of beating the Ravens in week 2 and the Bills in week 3, the Dolphins still were questioned about if they can hang with the good teams. Luckily, they were about to be tested vs the 49ers. They started off amazing with a first play touchdown but lost 17-33. It was all downhill from here. They lost four straight, Tua got hurt, and they got first rounded in the wild card vs Buffalo losing 31-34.
And that was the blueprint for the next season. In the 2023-2024 season, they started 9-3, ended 11-6, but lost in the first round vs the Kansas City Chiefs in one the coldest games ever, in which I attended. But, a positive sign for the team was that Tua did not get hurt. The 2024-2025 season was torture for Miami. Tua got another concussion week 2, trying to run head first into Damar Hamlin and the team finished 8-9. Additionally, Tyreek quit mid game vs the Jets week 18. Though he quit the team, he apologized and the team worked on building that trust back during the offseason. Finally, the 2025 season couldn’t have started any worse for the Dolphins as they lost to a Daniel Jones led Colts, 33-8, week 1. From yearly contenders the Dolphins are now seen as one of the worst teams in football. So what happened?
The Culture
If you have seen the Dolphins in a playoff/cold weather game, you can see how they shrink and become a shell of how they were in the beginning of the season. A huge flaw of Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel is that he is soft. McDaniel has failed to install a tough, winning culture inside the football team. Take a look at the Florida Panthers for example: They hired HC Paul Maurice and Maurice was able to create a tough team and he wasn’t scared to be hard on the players.
Now, his team has won back to back Stanley Cups and have made three straight Stanley Cups. This is what the Dolphins need. Sure, Brian Flores did implement a tough culture, but I think he took it too far. These players need to toughen up so they can withstand <30 degree weather and tough teams in that weather. Fun Fact: In a game under 45 degrees, Tua is 0-4 in those games (via cbssports.com).
Injuries
The Dolphins always have injuries. Even in week 1 vs the Colts, the starting offensive line played THREE snaps together before OT James Daniels got hurt. Then, CB Storm Duck got hurt, making the CB room for the Dolphins even worse. This Dolphins team is extremely fragile and they seem to always get hurt especially towards the end of the season. This connects back to my culture point where this team needs to toughen up, but also this team needs to take care of their bodies and fight fatigue throughout the season.
How To Fix The Issues
Personally, I would fix these issues by firing McDaniel, firing Dolphins GM Chris Grier, and rebuild the team through the draft. Tank and take South Carolina’s QB LaNorris Sellers with preferably the first or second pick. Next, I would trade star WR Tyreek Hill and a pick for another first rounder in this year’s draft to take CB Avieon Terrell out of Clemson. Finally, I would take an offensive lineman in the third round and sign another through free agency.
Conclusion
As a Dolphins fan, this 2025-2026 Dolphins roster is not good. However, if the front office takes the right steps, this team could compete again within the next year or two.
