The Miami Dolphins are preparing to hit the field for the first time during the 2025 NFL regular season, opening their year with a visit to the Indianapolis Colts. Earlier this week, in preparation for the Dolphins’ season premiere, we opened our mailbag, bringing you a chance to submit your questions for us to answer.
Now it is time for us to bring you some answers. Below you will find a selection of the questions asked in the comments of the mailbag article.
That is a great question, and one for which Mike McDaniel, hopefully, has the answer this year. I think the two-high safety was absolutely a big part of the issues, along with the defenses knowing to stay home and clog up the middle of the field. Why was that so effective in year three when teams should have been able to make that same adjustment in the first two years of McDaniel in Miami? I think the lack of a run game was a big part of it.
In 2023, Miami had 2,308 rushing yards on an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Last year, those numbers dropped to 1,795 yards on a 4.0 yards per carry. Defenses in 2024 did not worry about the running game nearly as much as they did in 2023, allowing both safeties to work up high and linebackers to remain in the middle of the field, rather than trying to get up to the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
Defenses also started pressing the Dolphins receivers more. Rather than giving wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle space to counter their speed, the defenses moved up and started jamming the receivers, throwing off the timing of Miami’s offense, with the two-high safeties able to assist on the coverage of the deep routes if the receivers broke free.
Finally, injuries played a factor. Hill was clearly not himself all season and Waddle missed two games. The Dolphins should have been able to adjust, but they were just off all year, and the injuries just added to the issues.
This year, McDaniel has to prove that his offense is not stagnant but can react to the defensive adjustments each week and the offense as a whole, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the two receivers, can stay healthy. Miami also needs running back De’Von Achane to play like the breakout player he is projected to be in 2025.
I know it sounds cliché, but I do think the culture matters, and the team has changed. McDaniel wants the team to take accountability for themselves, and the players last year were not ready to do that. This year, it does sound like the team learned from their struggles last year and have fully bought into their expected roles this year. I think you see that with the list of captains selected for the season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, center Aaron Brewer, fullback Alec Ingold, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, defensive tackle Zach Sieler, and linebacker Bradley Chubb were all selected for leadership roles, and it feels like those were the right choices. The captains should not be a popularity contest and, in 2025, it seems like Miami selected their captains based on leadership qualities rather than on-field play or their relationships in the locker room.
On the field, I think the investment in the offensive line is going to pay dividends. The run game should be improved and Tagovailoa should be better protected.
I’m sorry you do not call yourself a fan anymore. I think this team is going to surprise this year.
I definitely do not think you are crazy. This team is in a good position to win. I think the national media is way underrating the team. Miami is the favorite punching bag right now, though I do not know why. They went 8-9 last year and addressed many of their needs. The defensive front should be scary – especially when you consider the top edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, Bradley Chubb, and Matthew Judon should be feasting, and we have not even mentioned defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who has recorded 10 sacks each of the last two years.
The offense is healthy and the offensive line, like you said, should be better. I do think this team is going to be better and should be competing for the playoffs and postseason wins.
Rivalries jerseys are supposed to be start being sold on Wednesday, December 10, both online and at the Dolphins’ store at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins have not ruled out the possibility of talking to Christian Wilkins, but he is currently not healthy and therefore cannot contribute. I think once he gets clearance to play, Miami will absolutely be in on trying to sign him – especially if they can add him for the minimum, given that the Las Vegas Raiders are still on the hook for his guaranteed salary, which they have voided. However, Wilkins filed a grievance, and it still needs to be decided whether Las Vegas can be released from the $35 million in guarantees.
Protect players from injury – but it has completely ruined the play and we will likely see another rule change next offseason as they continue to try to find a way to fix the lack of returns. I also think we will see the onside kick become something like a 4th and 15 attempt for the team, if they convert, they keep the ball, otherwise the other team takes over wherever the play ends.
I am.
We should see some of the explosiveness return. I think the health and the upgrades to the offensive line will have a great impact on the team. They may not be 70-points score explosive, but I think they will get back to looking more like 2023 than whatever that was at times last year.
If you would like to get in a question for the next mailbag, check out the Feed on the front page of The Phinsider on Monday. We will reopen the mailbag then, asking for your Week 2 questions.
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