South Florida

Here's what we were saying about the Miami Dolphins before all their losses

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles collectively emphasize the underlying issues that plagued the Miami Dolphins before their losing streak, focusing primarily on their deficiencies in the trenches and the pressure mounting on key figures in the organization to end the playoff drought. Articles highlight concerns over Miami's performance and leadership, including commentary on the soft nature of their offensive and defensive lines, questions about team culture, and high expectations for certain players.

Specific points include the opinion that the Dolphins remain soft in the trenches and lack the necessary physicality to compete effectively in the AFC. Another article discusses the pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier amidst potential organizational changes due to the team's stagnant performance. Additional insights focus on Miami's new 2025 schedule featuring five prime-time games, highlighting the pressure to perform under a national spotlight. Finally, there are discussions about the consequences of key retirements and trades, such as the departure of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and how those moves might impact the team's chemistry and performance.

Miami Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier (left) speaks to the media as Head Coach Mike McDaniel looks on during an end-of year press conference at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Miami, Fla. By D.A. Varela

NO. 1: COTE: HEAT ON MCDANIEL, GRIER AS MIAMI DOLPHINS ENTER WHAT COULD BE YEAR OF MASSIVE CHANGE | OPINION

Miami Dolphins target offensive guard their biggest need as free agency nears and the scouting combine leads to the NFL Draft. But Fins have larger issues in an offseason portending a year that could see massive change | Published February 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Greg Cote

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) high five teammate Patrick Paul (52) after a play in the second half of their NFL game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla By David Santiago

NO. 2: KELLY: DOLPHINS REMAIN SOFT IN THE TRENCHES, AND SEEMINGLY DON’T CARE | OPINION

If Terron Armstead and Calais Campbell don’t return, Miami’s two most troublesome areas will become a crisis-level concern. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) prepares to pass the ball to wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the second half 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. 3: THE MIAMI DOLPHINS 2025 SCHEDULE REVEALED WITH FIVE PRIME TIME GAMES

The Dolphins’ five prime time games will come against the Bills, Jets, Commanders, Steelers and Bengals. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by C. Isaiah Smalls II

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) watches his teammates run drills at Organized Team Activities at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. By Photo by Brielle Aguayo

NO. 4: KELLY: TEN THINGS DOLPHINS NEED MINICAMP TO PROVIDE CLUES ON | OPINION

Does Miami have the playmakers and secondary needed to advance to the playoffs for the third time in Mike McDaniel’s four seasons? | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks to Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) in the first half of their NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla By David Santiago

NO. 5: COTE: JALEN RAMSEY, NOW ASANTE SAMUEL DRAMA = DOLPHINS MESS AT CORNERBACK | OPINION

Not unlike Heat’s Jimmy Butler, Dolphins star Jalen Ramsey wanted out of town and sulked his way to a trade. Now the father of possible replacement Asante Samuel Jr. has ripped Miami. | Published July 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Greg Cote

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) on the sidelines during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, September 8, 2024. By Al Diaz / Miami Herald Staff

NO. 6: KELLY: TEN PRESSING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DOLPHINS OFFENSE | OPINION

Find out what questions the Dolphins offense must address to deliver a winning 2025 season. | Published July 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel speaks to linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) during warmups at mandatory minicamp at the Baptist Health Training Complex on June 11, 2025 . By AL DIAZ

NO. 7: WITH DOLPHINS TRAINING CAMP SET TO BEGIN TUESDAY, THE CLOCK IS TICKING

Coach Mike McDaniel has gone 28-23 since joining the Dolphins in 2022 yet his regular-season success has not extended to the playoffs. | Published July 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by C. Isaiah Smalls II

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks off the field after suffering a concussion in a play against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of their NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 8: COTE: DOLPHINS CAN BE SURPRISE TEAM — IF TUA FINALLY PROVES HIMSELF | OPINION

How good is the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback? | Published August 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Greg Cote

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) greets wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10), who has a bandages hand, during OTA’s “Organized Team Activities,” at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 9: DOLPHINS’ MCDANIEL ADDRESSES FIXING DEEP SHOT ISSUE, WALLER, TYREEK HILL, KICKER

One big key to the season that begins Sunday in Indianapolis (1 p.m., CBS): | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson

Miami Dolphins linebacker K.J. Britt (3) and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (94) rush the field with teammates before the start of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 10: KELLY: DOLPHINS FORTIFIED ROSTER LAST WEEK, BOOSTING MANY AREAS OF CONCERN | OPINION

The Miami Dolphins’ roster received a couple of substantial upgrades last week, which fortified the team’s depth in weak areas on the 2025 roster. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Omar Kelly

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