The Miami Dolphins have a lot of question marks heading into the 2025 season ranging from team executives all the way down to the depths of the 53-man roster. Owner Stephen Ross has made it clear that another season of mediocrity that falls short of his high expectations is unacceptable. That means that general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel are on the hot seat. It’s put-up-or-shut-up time in Miami.
Veteran Dolphins reporter Omar Kelly (now a columnist with the Miami Herald) has put together a list of 10 things that we’ve learned about the Dolphins this offseason as we head into the 2025 campaign. Three of these in particular stand out.
First and foremost, “Ross has put away his checkbook.”
“The one thing Ross can’t be mistaken for is a frugal NFL owner,” Kelly writes. “He has handed out pace-setting contracts five times during his tenure as owner, and has spent more than any other NFL team in a single offseason twice. But this summer Miami took a fiscally responsible approach, only paying new offensive guard James Daniels a substantial contract ($24 million over three years), and that hints Miami’s either shifting their approach, or preparing for an organizational reset.”
Kelly mentions TE Jonnu Smith, who has been linked to trade rumors for more than a month now. Smith wants a new contract after a career year in 2024 (88 catches, 884 yards and eight touchdowns) and Kelly believes that if the Dolphins move Smith, they might as well just tank.
“If Miami doesn’t get extensions done for tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive tackle Zach Sieler before September arrives it will be telling, an indicator that Ross will let his franchise’s next batch of leaders make these important decisions,” Kelly continues.
McDaniel’s taking a more direct tone
McDaniel is known for his tongue-in-cheek, humorous tone. It’s absolutely fantastic for press conferences, but it might not land with players in the locker room the way he needs it to. Last week, edge rusher Bradley Chubb hinted at as much.
This offseason, Kelly says that McDaniel has changed his tone.
“McDaniel’s aware he’s on the hot seat despite his 28-23 record the past three seasons,” Kelly writes. “The knock on Miami’s quirky coach is that he runs too loose an organization and is too focused on being everybody’s buddy. This offseason he has taken a more in-your-face approach to his duties, but a leopard doesn’t change its spots overnight. What McDaniel can’t afford is to lose his locker room the way Joe Philbin and Adam Gase did during the end of their Dolphins tenures. That means McDaniel must have players buy into what he’s selling, which is accountability and player empowerment.”
Often times in leadership roles, people are better starting off as the tough guy and then loosening up as things progress. McDaniel is attempting to do the opposite and only time will tell if that tactic works. It might be too late to put that toothpaste back in the tube.
Leaders need to step forward
The Dolphins have had their share of veteran leaders, but some have either already left or are on the trade block. That’s not a great sign. Smith and Jalen Ramsey will possibly be traded this offseason, which will leave the team even thinner with potential leaders.
“The departure of Terron Armstead, who retired, Calais Campbell, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals and Raheem Mostert, who was released and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, means new leadership must step forward on this young team,” Kelly continues. “Sieler and Jordyn Brooks are expected to guide the defense, while Aaron Brewer, Austin Jackson, Smith and De’Von Achane are expected to share the leadership load on offense with Tagovailoa and fullback Alec Ingold. Miami needs someone in the secondary to step up and lead that unit, which is losing Jalen Ramsey to an impending trade.”
Tagovailoa is the obvious choice to step up and lead because he plays the most important position on the team and he’s the Dolphins’ highest paid player. But, as with everything Tagovailoa-related, it all hinges on his health. Anyone that has played professional sports will tell you that a player’s leadership role diminishes exponentially when they’re injured.
Whether it’s Chubb, Tagovailoa or someone else, Miami needs leadership and production or else Grier and McDaniel (and probably many others) will be looking for new employment.
