As the Miami Dolphins enter the 2025 NFL season, the team’s offseason decisions and moves have been scrutinized more than ever. After another season that left fans and analysts questioning their true potential, the Dolphins find themselves at a crossroads. With a mixture of optimism and concern, the Dolphins have approached this offseason with a sense of urgency. However, the question remains: Are these changes enough to push the team toward playoff contention, or is a larger reset on the horizon?
The Miami Dolphins, under the leadership of head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier, have made numerous moves this offseason, aiming to shore up weaknesses and make the necessary upgrades. Whether it’s addressing deficiencies on the offensive line, bolstering the defensive secondary, or adding depth to the roster, the Dolphins have made efforts to evolve their roster. But, as with any team in a transition phase, the big question remains—do these moves signal a step toward sustained success, or is a more significant reset on the way?
To assess the Dolphins’ offseason, it’s important to look at their roster, free-agent signings, draft picks, and overall strategy. The decisions made during these critical months reflect the direction the franchise wants to go, either doubling down on their current strategy or embarking on a reset that could reshape the future of the franchise.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains the focal point of the team’s offense. Tagovailoa showed flashes of brilliance last season, particularly when healthy. His connection with wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle has been electric, and the offense, under McDaniel, has proven it can be explosive. However, durability concerns have loomed large, especially after Tagovailoa’s concussion issues the previous year. With the team needing a leader under center who can stay on the field, the Dolphins’ decision to stick with Tagovailoa this offseason signals they are still confident in his ability to develop into a franchise quarterback. While backup quarterback depth is important, there are few signs that the Dolphins are actively pursuing a quarterback change, suggesting they are doubling down on Tua’s growth.
Alongside Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have made moves to ensure they can protect their quarterback more effectively. Last season, Miami’s offensive line struggled at times to provide adequate protection, which led to inconsistencies in their offensive output. In response, the Dolphins added some veteran offensive line pieces, seeking to address the interior of the line and solidify their pass protection. The addition of veteran talent, combined with the continued development of young linemen, suggests the Dolphins are committed to improving their blocking and helping their quarterback perform at a high level.
The offensive line situation is a tricky one, though. Despite several attempts to fix it over the years, Miami’s offensive line has been a weak link for much of the past decade. Even with the upgrades, there’s still a lingering uncertainty about whether the offensive line can truly support the explosive playmaking abilities of their skill position players. For the Dolphins to succeed in 2025, the offensive line will be a crucial area to monitor throughout the season.
Defensively, the Dolphins have made strides, but there’s still work to be done. While Miami has long been known for a defense that can create turnovers and apply pressure, there were moments last season when the defense was inconsistent, particularly against high-powered offenses. The Dolphins did manage to address some areas of weakness through the offseason by bringing in some key additions via free agency. This includes bolstering their secondary, which is still one of the more crucial parts of their defensive success. With young talent like cornerback Xavien Howard, the Dolphins’ pass defense has the potential to improve. But adding more depth in the defensive backfield could be pivotal for Miami’s success, especially as they face top-tier quarterbacks in the AFC, like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson.
While the secondary is undoubtedly important, the front seven remains a major focus. With the departure of some key contributors and the team’s struggles to generate consistent pressure, the Dolphins could still use more disruptive talent on the defensive line. Whether through the draft or additional free-agent signings, addressing the pass rush has been a focus of the Dolphins this offseason. Getting to the quarterback is essential in today’s NFL, and without a consistent pass rush, it could be difficult for the Dolphins to compete against some of the league’s most potent offenses.
The addition of new players to the defensive line and secondary suggests the Dolphins are committed to improving their defense, but they will need a significant boost to reach the upper echelon of the AFC. The team still needs more consistency in their ability to stop the run and generate pressure without relying on cornerbacks to lock down receivers for extended periods. This could be a season where the defense takes a more prominent role in the team’s success, and any gaps left in the defensive front could spell trouble if not addressed effectively.
Another area of concern heading into the 2025 season is the Dolphins’ special teams. While the unit hasn’t been a major issue in recent years, it hasn’t exactly been a strength either. Special teams play often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong, and the Dolphins will need to make sure they’re not left behind in this phase of the game. Strong special teams play can be a difference-maker in tight games, and Miami will need to ensure they have adequate depth and skill in this area.
As far as the team’s overall strategy, it’s clear that the Dolphins are trying to compete now, but they are also cautiously optimistic about the future. The fact that they haven’t made a significant quarterback change or traded away key players suggests they are still in a “win-now” mode, with hopes of competing for the playoffs in 2025. However, there are signs that the team is not fully committed to a complete overhaul. Instead, they are building with the pieces they have and reinforcing areas that need immediate attention.
This brings us to the question of whether a reset might be on the horizon. While the team has made some moves to improve the roster, they haven’t necessarily addressed all the long-term issues, particularly on the defensive line and in the trenches. With Tagovailoa’s future still uncertain due to his injury history, Miami could find themselves in a tough spot if they don’t see the results they expect in 2025. If the season doesn’t go according to plan and the Dolphins struggle to reach the postseason, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team reevaluate their direction and make more significant changes in the years to come. The combination of an aging defensive front, potential questions around their quarterback, and the need for more consistency at key positions could force the team into a decision about whether to fully commit to the current roster or embark on a larger-scale reset.
A reset could involve looking at Tagovailoa’s future in Miami, reworking the roster to focus on younger, more promising talent, and perhaps even rethinking the approach to free agency and the draft. Given that the Dolphins are currently in a competitive division, with the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and New York Jets all vying for playoff spots, the team may feel the pressure to make more drastic moves if they don’t see improvement in the short term.
Ultimately, the Dolphins have positioned themselves as a team on the cusp of being a playoff contender, but with several questions left unanswered, a reset isn’t entirely off the table. The balance between immediate success and long-term sustainability is always a delicate one, and this offseason has shown that the Dolphins are attempting to do both. How well these moves pan out will determine whether Miami is ready to take the next step in becoming a championship contender or whether they will need to regroup and begin again with a new approach. The next few months will be crucial in shaping the future of the franchise, and the 2025 season could be one of the most telling in the team’s recent history.