Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was straight forward with his answers in Indianapolis.
The NFL offseason is officially underway with all 32 teams gathering in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. With only 16 days until the new league year begins, this is likely the last time we’ll hear from teams before free agency officially opens on March 12.
The Miami Dolphins enter a make-or-break offseason with waves of questions on both sides of the football. While Chris Grier was among a handful of general managers not expected to speak at the Combine, coach Mike McDaniel took questions from reporters Tuesday morning — here are four of the largest takeaways:
Tyreek Hill had surgery
Full extract ⤵️ (@JoeRoseShow) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/h8VhR9A2B0
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) February 25, 2025
Rumors about a wrist injury for the five-time All-Pro receiver lingered for most of the season. McDaniel cleared the air Tuesday, confirming Hill underwent wrist surgery for a ligament issue.
Hill caught two of three targets for 20 yards against the New York Jets before removing himself from the 2024 season finale. The offseason began with reports of Miami being uninterested in trading Hill, but NFL Network’s Cam Wolfe added a wrinkle last week.
“I’ve not talked to anybody with the team who said 100% certain they will not trade him,” Wolfe said on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Unless we hear otherwise that will continue to be a lingering story.”
On top of that, Joe Rose reported on his WQAM 560 morning show that Hill may have influenced the decision to part ways with wide receivers coach Wes Welker.
The drama surrounding Hill, and his $28 million cap hit for 2025, will continue as a talking point throughout the offseason.
Jevon Holland received the same line as Christian Wilkins
Jevon Holland, a former second-round pick, has had inconsistent production over the last year, but it’s still rare to see a talented 25-year-old hit free agency. With holes throughout the roster and limited capital, Holland is expected to follow in the footsteps of Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt — hit free agency as top-of-the-market players at their position.
McDaniel echoed a familiar line, saying that Holland earned the right to be a free agent. While things can always change, it sounds like McDaniel acknowledging that a payday is coming for the former Oregon standout, and it may not be with Miami.
Holland appeared in 33 of 34 games over his first two seasons, but that has dropped to just 17 of the last 34 contests. A turnover machine early in his career, Holland forced just one turnover across 15 appearances last season and failed to intercept a pass for the first time in his professional career.
Miami could restructure contracts to retain Holland, but given their roster needs, they may instead choose to overhaul the safety position through the draft and free agency in 2025.
What should we expect from De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright?
The Miami Dolphins invested two third-round draft picks to improve the running back room. While De’Von Achane thrived as a rookie with 7.8 yards per carry, Jaylen Wright struggled to find similar success.
He averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and failed to find the end zone despite appearing in 15 games. Still, McDaniel is ready to move forward with Wright featured in the backfield.
McDaniel said expectations are high for Wright and Achane but acknowledged that Miami will still look to add depth at running back. While Miami hasn’t scheduled a meeting with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, additional depth is required after releasing Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. weeks from free agency.
The Dolphins have finished with a top-15 rushing attack in only one of McDaniel’s three seasons as head coach. Achane, Wright, and whoever else the Dolphins toss into the mix should have more playmaking opportunities in 2025 if the team effectively bolsters the offensive line.
Terron Armstead is the definition of a team captain
#Dolphins LT Terron Armstead plans to take his contract down to minimum, I’m told, from the $28.6M he was set to make.
That allows the team to make all the necessary moves they want to make and allows Armstead, 33, to be on the team until he makes his decision on his future. pic.twitter.com/IrRf7yaj42
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2025
Terron Armstead continues to contemplate retirement after playing his most snaps in five seasons, but the Dolphins aren’t sitting on their hands while waiting for a decision.
With draft preparation well underway and free agency quickly approaching, McDaniel said that the team is operating under the impression that Terron Armstead will retire this offseason.
On top of that, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Armstead will restructure his contract to the league minimum from the $28.6 million he was projected to earn. Miami would’ve saved $4.3 million if Armstead was cut, but this move instead creates $14 million in cap space and leaves the door open in case he chooses against retirement.
Football is an extremely physical and taxing sport, and while Armstead hasn’t always been available for the Dolphins, he’s been a leader since the first day he arrived in Miami. Not only did he embrace Patrick Paul as the future of the franchise, but he also deserves credit for operating with the team’s interests in mind.
