MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel knows what’s at stake heading into year four – the Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game in nearly a quarter-century.
It’s one of several major questions hovering over the franchise as training camp kicks off Wednesday at the Baptist Health Training Complex.
The Dolphins are coming off of a disappointing 2024 season – one in which their quarterback was forced to miss a significant amount of time due to a concussion and a hip injury.
If the Dolphins hope to reach the next level, they need QB Tua Tagovailoa to stay healthy for all 17 games – something he managed during his record-setting 2023 season.
Tagovailoa will also need to improve in poor weather conditions, with December road games in New York and Pittsburgh, followed by a season finale in Foxborough.
There are also questions at the running back position.
With veteran Raheem Mostert now in the AFC West, De’Von Achane steps in as the lead man.
The Dolphins were the worst team in the National Football League a season ago in converting short-yardage situations, so in hopes of fixing that, Miami signed veteran Alexander Mattison, and drafted a speedy Ollie Gordon II out of Oklahoma State.
The team is also counting on second-year man Jaylen Wright, who showed signs during preseason last August.
On the defensive side, Miami’s secondary remains a major question mark – especially with Jalen Ramsey, once a centerpiece but reportedly unhappy, now traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers along with tight end Jonnu Smith.
As of right now, the cornerbacks on the roster include Kader Kohou, Kendall Sheffield, Artie Burns, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, Jason Marshall Jr., Storm Duck, Isaiah Johnson, Ryan Cooper Jr., BJ Adams, and Ethan Robinson.
Of course, the Dolphins will soon have to trim their roster to 53 players, but expecting a group of largely unproven players to make a meaningful impact in a division led by Buffalo Bills star quarterback Josh Allen is no easy task.
Sticking with the defense, the Dolphins are hoping pass-rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb can return to peak form.
Phillips has suffered lower-leg injuries in back-to-back seasons, each ending his year early. Chubb, meanwhile, hasn’t taken a snap since tearing his ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon in his right knee on Dec. 31, 2023 against the Baltimore Ravens.
With high expectations come tough questions – now the Dolphins must turn promise into results.
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