By: Hunter Montroy

The Miami Dolphins, with Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa, have been intriguing, to say the least—and not in a necessarily good way. The Dolphins show glimpses of something fairly decent, but they can never capitalize on it, especially when it comes to the playoffs, their quarterback, or recent decisions being made.

Most recently, the Dolphins and the Steelers finalized a trade that is fairly interesting, yet seemingly rash by the Dolphins. The Steelers acquire CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith along with a 2027 seventh-round pick, while the Dolphins acquire S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The trade for Jalen Ramsey was always going to happen since Ramsey wanted out, but trading Jonnu Smith as well doesn’t seem like the best move. The moves the Dolphins are making are coming late in the offseason and feel odd, especially given how you’d want your two new players to be better acclimated.

Minkah Fitzpatrick and TE Darren Waller—who has NOT PLAYED for a year now, as he was previously retired—are now joining the team. Waller is 32 years old and is just now arriving in Miami, which really shows how the Dolphins had absolutely no other options available. They didn’t want to pay Jonnu Smith a new contract, so you trade him and replace him with a 32-year-old retired guy? Sure, I guess.

Who knows though, maybe Darren Waller will be great this year and defy expectations, but I have yet to confidently believe that. The Dolphins seemingly have some internal issues as well, considering they signed Jalen Ramsey to a 3-year, $72 million contract in 2024, only to announce they were looking to trade him back in April. Additionally, WR Tyreek Hill—who is no stranger to creating trouble and a bad environment—indicated he was done playing for the Dolphins, only to eventually walk back that statement.

Head coach Mike McDaniel is likely on the hot seat too, given the results the Dolphins have had under his leadership along with the slew of issues with players. He has yet to produce a playoff win for the team, which does not help his case.

With the odd, late-offseason choices the Dolphins have made, along with their current dysfunction within the organization, I do not see them achieving anything great this season. I really only view them as an average team that beats the easy teams and fails to win any meaningful games. It would be surprising to me if they make the playoffs this year, even if QB Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy. Sure, the Dolphins gave Tua a big contract recently, but there’s a high possibility they trade him, as he has two years fully guaranteed remaining.

Let’s say Mike McDaniel survives this season into 2026, where he is ultimately let go. I don’t think a new head coach will want to deal with Tua. Tua is not a bad quarterback, but would you, as a new head coach, want to have him as your QB when you likely have a better opportunity in the draft or through a trade? Internally, the Dolphins have issues, and owner Steven Ross is another piece that causes that. The understanding that issues have risen in recent times is ultimately no secret now. I think the case for the Dolphins this year and into the 2026 offseason will be interesting to keep an eye on.