‘Really good back end of the season.’ Why Dolphins’ Greg Dulcich could have big ‘26
A tight end can often be a young quarterback’s best friend.
And while many might not consider Malik Willis a young quarterback, the 26-year-old’s small sample size likely puts him in that category. That means his relationship with tight end Greg Dulcich will likely be key for the Dolphins to experience offensive success outside of Pro Bowl tailback De’Von Achane.
The next few weeks will be important in that regard. As is the case with new coaches, Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins got to start their offseason program a bit early. The benefit: more time for Dulcich and Willis to get on the same page.
“Offseason especially is time to build that chemistry as best you can not just on the field but off the field,” Dulcich said, later adding that he and Malik “came into the NFL in the same draft class. It’s been cool to see how his career has gone on, and he said the same about me. I’m very excited to build things with him.”
Luckily, the two aren’t total strangers. Willis and Dulcich actually played on the same Senior Bowl team in 2022. They even connected on a long crossing route during practice that both still remember quite fondly.
“That was the second time I had met Malik, and we got a good little feel for each other there,” Dulcich said, adding that they definitely had “a little chemistry.” When he and Willis, who Dulcich called “so talented” and “a great leader,” discussed the play, they had a similar reaction. “‘Man, five years surer goes by quick.’”
Dulcich, who had an impressive end to his 2025 season, could end up as an undervalued piece of the Dolphins offense as currently constructed. Miami plans to add more receiver weapons in the upcoming draft, but that didn’t stop general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan from citing the tight end as player to watch in 2026.
“Dulcich,” Sullivan told ESPN’s Kevin Clark. “I thought he had a really good back end of the season, and I want to see if he can build on that. It’s why we brought him back.”
And Sullivan was right. In the Dolphins’ three final games of the season, Dulcich emerged as a valuable target for then-rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, racking up 11 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown.
“You always want to build off things you did last season, but you want to keep in mind that that was last season,” Dulcich said, emphasizing that every year brings new opportunity. When asked what area he will look to build on, the four-year veteran didn’t shy away from the entire process. “ We’re asked to wear a lot of different hats in the offense. In pass pro, in the run game, running routes — those are all areas to improve in and I’m excited to get better at.”
Despite a nice start to his career with the Denver Broncos, catching 33 balls for 411 yards and two touchdowns, the former 2022 third-round pick sustained a hamstring injury that limited him to six games during the next two seasons. The Broncos eventually shipped him to the New York Giants where he appeared in five games, failed to record a catch and was subsequently waived.
Injuries to Darren Waller in 2025 allowed Dulcich to regain a bit of his footing in Miami. The four-year veteran finished 2025 with 26 grabs for 335 yards and a score. Now, Dulcich finds himself on the same team for back-to-back years for the first time since his Denver days.
“I’ve been moving around a lot so it’s definitely nice to have a little stability in that regard,” Dulcich said. “I get to put the same helmet on which is certainly nice. That’s kind of the nature of the league and at this point, going into year five, you kind of know the deal. Every season is going to be coming with new challenges and you’re always going to have to prove yourself, no matter where you are.”
