The Miami Dolphins’ season in 2025 promises to be entertaining. Questions regarding Mike McDaniel’s future will arise, Chris Grier’s future will be a heated topic, and we cannot count out more conjecture about Tua Tagoailoa’s future.
Is this the “make-or-break” season for the Dolphins? Not so, but hopes for a return to 2023 and a reversal of last season are high. Those expectations, particularly those set by Stephen Ross, will shape what happens next summer.
Of course, none of this matters if the Dolphins win. Unfortunately, there are reasons why they could collapse instead.
Mike McDaniel’s lack of control could doom the Dolphins
It hasn’t received nearly as much attention as it deserves, but the idea to form an in-house leadership group comprised of players was a mistake. The Dolphins lack discipline and accountability, which begins at the top with McDaniel. He publicly stated that his disciplining measures were ineffective. Fining athletes for being late to meetings and practices did not have the desired effect.
This has been his way of doing things since he first arrived in Miami three seasons ago, and changing it in one offseason will be incredibly difficult without jeopardizing your leadership of the team. If the Dolphins don’t win early in the season, he won’t bring them back.
Chris Grier’s decision regarding the offensive line will not allow Miami to move forward
There are various ways the Dolphins can improve their offensive line. Invest draft capital early and use cap space to sign experienced players in free agency. There’s also the Grier factor. Yes, Grier recognized that the line needed to be improved and fixed, but fans should not interpret this as a declaration of meaningful investment. Recognizing a problem and having a solution are not the same thing, and while Grier may recognize a need to better the unit, he must also cognitively focus on distributing resources to do so, which is not how he generally works in terms of jobs. More likely, Grier will shop further down the list of free agents for players who may have a few of years left in the tank, will not cost much, and, at least on paper, give the appearance of being better. Working in his favor is the fact the offensive line has been so inconsistently bad he doesn’t have to do much to improve it.
Salary cap concerns could stymie the Dolphins’ attempt to fill holes
The NFL pay cap is not real. We hear this every year, but when you don’t have a lot of money, it becomes extremely real. The Dolphins will have to cut some contracts to free up working cash, but the main issue for Miami is that they constantly push contracts into later seasons by restructuring deals, which eventually cost them cap space or delay cap relief until June. Miami has a number of voids heading into the offseason, and it will be difficult to fill them with quality players on bigger contracts due to a lack of wiggle room. Making matters worse, Miami has 24 imminent free agents, almost all of whom will not be a priority to re-sign.
Tua Tagovailoa’s health is what will carry or sink the team in 2025
Tua’s health is, without a doubt, the biggest issue. Miami cannot afford to purchase a reliable backup quarterback who can easily lead the team if Tua is injured again. Despite producing tremendous stats in 2023 and remaining healthy throughout the year, Tua is not a guy who has been dependably healthy. Another concussion will sideline him for at least four more games, and his hip may suddenly be an issue. Worse, defenders will begin to realize Tua is not a threat out of the pocket, especially if he is more cautious about putting himself in harm’s path. If this happens, he will become a one-dimensional pocket passer behind a line that cannot protect him.
The Dolphins play a tough schedule in 2025
Miami has a poor track record of foreign games, and this year will be the first time they play in Spain. They have two games versus the Bills, and while they have gone close to victory, they have yet to figure out how to finish the job. The Patriots will be better coached, and the Jets may finally settle down from their usual train wreck. Miami will host five playoff teams next season, but only two playoff teams in 2024 will travel.
While not playoff contenders, the Bengals will be a challenging home game, and the Colts defeated Miami last season. Overall, unlike last season, the Dolphins must beat the teams they are expected to beat while also learning how to beat excellent teams including the Bills.
