The offseason has been long, but with training camp just around the corner, NFL teams begin their preparations for the 2025 season. From there, everyone has the same goal: to win a Super Bowl. Some are closer than others, but all 32 teams dare to dream. Though every team enters the season with the same aspirations, they don’t enter with the same expectations.
For some front offices and coaching staffs, they come into the 2025 season with their seats very warm. If things go poorly, changes could be coming. One team that fits that bill perfectly is the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins' offseason has been full of change and turmoil, but expectations are still fairly high. They want to compete for the Super Bowl.
However, they could, instead, be on the brink of implosion. Per Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report, things in Miami are turbulent. The Bleacher Report writer had the Dolphins ranked as the No. 23 team in his preseason power rankings.
“You name them, they are on the hot seat for the Miami Dolphins. Tyreek Hill has gone from arguably the NFL’s best receiver to potentially washed up.” Davenport writes, “Tua Tagovailoa is the $53 million quarterback who can’t stay on the field. Head coach Mike McDaniel went from an offensive mastermind to a guy the league has figured out.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel greets Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL game against Houston Texans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Nov. 27, 2022.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel greets Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL game against Houston Texans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Nov. 27, 2022.
JIM RASSOL / THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
Davenport paints a bleak picture. The Dolphins finished with an 8-9 season in 2024, but took a considerable step back from being one of the best offenses in the NFL for the last two seasons prior. That, as well as potential dysfunction in the building, has left the team in peril.
“There’s a weird vibe coming off this Dolphins team. Hill groused about being traded after the season before walking it back. Veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith were dealt to Pittsburgh.” Davenport adds, “Edge-rusher Bradley Chubb admitted players “lied” about culture issues last year before insisting all is now well. The Dolphins have no shortage of firepower—especially on offense. But this feels like a team that’s a few losses in a row away from completely imploding.”
Even if the culture issues are exaggerated, there’s a stink about this Dolphins team. On paper, the offense could still be one of the better units in the NFL, and the defense has enough X-factors to be a top-15 unit, but this is a team teetering on the edge. The 2025 season could be make-or-break.