The Miami Dolphins enter 2025 at a crossroads after an underwhelming 8-9 campaign that left more questions than answers.
With explosive offensive weapons and a coaching staff under scrutiny, South Florida finds itself wondering whether this season brings a breakthrough or a breakdown.
ESPN analyst Peter Schrager recently captured the uncertainty surrounding Miami’s prospects during a segment on NFL Live.
His assessment reflects the divided opinions about where the Dolphins are headed.
“None of it seems great coming out of Miami right now, but I have been doing this long enough where you wait for the regular season. They play Indianapolis, Week 1. This could be the same offense that put up 70 points two years ago on the Broncos defense, or it could be a great disappointment, and we’re looking at ourselves in January, saying, ‘What happened?’ Then they got to redo this whole thing and start over,” Schrager said.
"None of it seems great coming out of Miami right now."@PSchrags explains why he’s not confident in the Miami Dolphins’ success this season. pic.twitter.com/WCHyR4L5Pd
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 13, 2025
Two distinct scenarios emerge for Miami.
The optimistic view sees a motivated team rallying without departed stars like Jalen Ramsey and Terron Armstead.
Their remaining weapons and roster depth could carry them to postseason success under Mike McDaniel’s guidance.
The darker reality involves warning signs already surfacing at training camp.
Tua Tagovailoa mentioned still working things out with Tyreek Hill.
Hill’s practice comments questioning play calls forced McDaniel to intervene publicly.
These episodes echo last season’s locker room tensions that contributed to their disappointing finish.
Pressure mounts on McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier.
Owner Stephen Ross has made clear that another playoff miss could trigger significant organizational changes.
McDaniel’s laid-back coaching approach faces criticism after Miami’s inconsistent effort became a recurring theme throughout 2024.
The Dolphins possess the talent to compete, but chemistry and leadership remain question marks.
Success could validate their approach, while failure might accelerate the timeline for sweeping changes throughout the organization.
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