MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Over the past three months the Miami Dolphins have shifted from a star-driven, high-profile roster to a no-frills construction project under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. The previous era under coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier featured headline-making moments — a 70-point game against the Broncos in 2023, a three-touchdown fourth-quarter comeback against the Ravens in 2022 and consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in more than two decades.
The roster reset has been dramatic. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Bradley Chubb were released, while safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle were traded. The moves left Miami with an incomplete roster and an unprecedented $179 million in dead salary-cap money, according to ESPN. Outside expectations are low: DraftKings set Miami’s win total at 4.5, and the team is one of five without a primetime game on the schedule.
The roster now emphasizes youth and accountability. Tight end Greg Dulcich said the team has “started from ground zero” and praised the younger players for checking their egos and being eager to learn. Miami added 13 players in April’s draft and filled much of the veteran depth with one-year agreements meant to bring hungry, motivated players; Sullivan has described those additions as players with a chip on their shoulder.
Owner Stephen Ross has shown patience in the past but has been clear about his goal of winning a championship. A front-office source told ESPN there was interest in the general manager job partly because of Chris Grier’s 10-year tenure despite never winning a playoff game. Since Ross bought the team in 2008, no Miami head coach has lasted more than four seasons. The franchise also carries the longest playoff-win drought in major American professional sports at 26 years.
Not all players view the current season as a pause. Running back De’Von Achane, who signed a four-year, $64 million extension earlier this month, told former teammate Terron Armstead’s podcast that he rejects talk of a multi-year rebuild and wants to win the division and a playoff game. Sullivan has said his plan begins with getting the team younger and cheaper as Miami builds its next foundation.
