The outlook for the Miami Dolphins heading into the 2025 season seems far from promising. With training camp just around the corner, the team is hoping things can turn around quickly.
Just about every analyst in football believes this will be a pivotal year for many within the Dolphins organization — starting with general manager Chris Grier, head coach Mike McDaniel, and star players Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.
"You name them, they are on the hot seat for the Miami Dolphins,” Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport wrote. “Tyreek Hill has gone from arguably the NFL’s best receiver to potentially washed up. Tua Tagovailoa is the $53 million quarterback who can’t stay on the field. Head coach Mike McDaniel went from an offensive mastermind to a guy the league has figured out.”
How the Dolphins maneuver through this pressure cooker will be one of the league’s most intriguing storylines in 2025, especially with so many jobs potentially on the line. The tension and urgency to win now are palpable.
Given the sweeping changes that have already taken place since January, it’s fair to wonder how much leeway McDaniel still has — or when Miami might consider hitting the reset button altogether.
“There’s a weird vibe coming off this Dolphins team,” Davenport continued. “Hill groused about being traded after the season before walking it back. Veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith were dealt to Pittsburgh. Edge-rusher Bradley Chubb admitted players ‘lied’ about culture issues last year before insisting all is now well. The Dolphins have no shortage of firepower — especially on offense. But this feels like a team that’s a few losses in a row away from completely imploding.”
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As for training camp, CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr believes the Dolphins will “stay the course” for now and avoid making drastic moves, like trading away Hill.
“Perhaps Hill forces a trade out of Miami at some point, but it won't be in training camp,” Kerr wrote. “The Dolphins are still playoff contenders when their offensive stars are healthy, and this is a make-it-or-break-it year for Mike McDaniel. They'll stay the course at the start of the year.”
At this stage, a trade involving Hill seems unlikely. But if this offseason has proven anything, it’s that the Dolphins are capable of anything.