MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley pushed back against the idea that his team is entering a rebuilding phase, saying the focus remains on improvement and winning.
Hafley spoke with reporters Thursday before the Dolphins took the field for the second day of training camp, just months after a major offseason overhaul that included the releases of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Bradley Chubb.
The team also traded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets.
Despite the changes, Hafley said the word “rebuild” does not fit the mindset inside the Dolphins’ locker room.
“I don’t know how you can have a conversation with a competitive player or a competitive coach and have it sit right with them where we’re just going to say, we’re just going to rebuild this year,” he said. “And I mean, it’s just not the mentality of any competitor who’s made it to this level or any coach that’s made it to this level.”
Hafley said the team’s approach is centered around getting better every day while competing.
“Whether it’s practice or whether it’s a drill, I think we all want to win it and our mindset is we need to get better, we need to develop, and everything that we do is going to be about competing to get better throughout the process and we want to win,” he added.
The Dolphins began training camp with a new coaching staff and a new quarterback in Malik Willis, who joined Miami after the offseason departure of Tagovailoa.
Hafley said it is too early to evaluate players after only a few practices and emphasized the importance of consistency over time.
“I just think, guys, it’s going to be really hard to assess anybody in these first couple of practices,” Hafley said. “I think the key to everything is going to be consistency over time.”
One of Hafley’s biggest priorities during camp has been creating more realistic game situations. The Dolphins have spent more time in 11-on-11 drills and less time in 7-on-7 work, something Hafley said better prepares players for the challenges of an actual game.
“I want to just play football,” he said. “I think that’s how you get good.”
Hafley also discussed the return of running back De’Von Achane, who is being eased back into practice after time away from football.
“Well, he (Achane) just came back, so he’s got to build up his reps just like everybody else to get ready to play in a game,” Hafley said. “But we’ve got to gradually increase it, and we’ll do that throughout camp. So it’s just (his) first day back. (He) hadn’t really played football in a while, but I am very glad that he’s back.”
The Dolphins will continue training camp as Hafley works to establish his culture heading into the new season. The first practice open to the public is set for Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
View the Dolphins’ full training camp schedule by clicking here.
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