South Florida

Six stories shaping the Miami Dolphins’ 2025 roster rebuild

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The Miami Dolphins are entering the 2025 offseason with a critical focus on rebuilding their roster after a disappointing 2024 campaign. Key themes include addressing durability concerns for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose injury history necessitates acquiring a reliable backup, and improving both the offensive and defensive lines, which underperformed in key moments last season. Investments in younger, more consistent talent are essential, particularly in the trenches, where the team struggled to dominate opponents.

Additionally, decisions regarding free agents like Calais Campbell and Jevon Holland will shape the defensive strategy, while reshaping the run game and improving short-yardage efficiency remain priorities for revitalizing the offense. With draft capital in hand, the Dolphins have an opportunity to reset deficiencies and aim for sustainable success.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver River Cracraft (85), guard Robert Jones (65) and offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn (77) during the second half of a football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 1: KELLY: TOP 10 LESSONS DOLPHINS SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM 2024 | OPINION

Miami Dolphins should have learned plenty of lessons from the adversity this team faced in 2024. | Published January 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) runs out of the tunnel onto the field before the start of their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. By David Santiago

NO. 2: THE PRAISE, THE PROBLEM, AND POSSIBILITIES WITH DOLPHINS QUARTERBACKS

The first of a 10 part series examining the Miami Dolphins by position, which today’s focus being quarterback | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins defensive line coach Austin Clark speaks with defensive tackles Zach Sieler (92) and Calais Campbell (93) prior to the team’s NFL game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. By David Santiago

NO. 3: THE PRAISE, THE PROBLEM, AND POSSIBILITIES WITH DOLPHINS D-LINE

Expect the Dolphins to produce a new defensive line in 2025 because of the team features four impending free agents in that unit | Published January 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand (90) is joined by teammates defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) and linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) as he celebrates his fumble recovery by Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during the second half of an NFL Football game at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, December 29, 2024. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 4: KELLY: EXPLORING THE DOLPHINS DEFENSIVE NEEDS AS FREE AGENCY APPROACHES | OPINION

The Dolphins need to rebuild the defensive line and the secondary that supports Jalen Ramsey. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins defensive end Matt Dickerson (98) shakes hands with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after their NFL game at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 5: DOLPHINS RE-SIGN JOURNEYMAN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN

Miami Dolphins re-signed journeyman defensive lineman Matt Dickerson | Published March 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell (56) runs through practice drills with teammates at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Thursday, October 3, 2024. By Al Diaz / Miami Herald Staff

NO. 6: EDGE RUSHER QUINTON BELL AGREES TO RE-SIGN WITH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

‘The Dolphins are the first team that really have given me a real opportunity to go there in a regular season and play,’ Bell told the Miami Herald towards the end of the 2024 season. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by C. Isaiah Smalls II

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.