From South Beach to Spain, the Dolphins are taking their talents global.
Wilson Alvarez
As the calendar turned to 2025, the Miami Dolphins found themselves at a crossroads, navigating a tumultuous offseason marked by significant roster changes, coaching adjustments, and swirling trade rumors.
Coaching Carousel and Front Office Decisions
In a move emphasizing stability amidst uncertainty, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced the retention of Head Coach Mike McDaniel and General Manager Chris Grier for the 2025 season. This decision came despite the team’s disappointing 8-9 finish in 2024, missing the playoffs for the first time under McDaniel’s tenure .Reuters
The coaching staff saw notable changes, with Craig Aukerman appointed as the new Special Teams Coordinator and Robert Prince taking over as Wide Receivers Coach . These hires aim to rejuvenate units that underperformed in the previous season.The Phinsider+2ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2
Roster Reshaping and Free Agency Moves
January witnessed a flurry of roster activity. The Dolphins signed several players to reserve/future contracts, including WR Tarik Black, LB William Bradley-King, S Jordan Colbert, and DT Neil Farrell . These signings reflect the team’s strategy to build depth and foster competition across the roster.ESPN.com+1ESPN.com+1
In free agency, Miami addressed critical needs:juliahay.pages.dev+23ESPN.com+23Wikipedia+23
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Quarterback Depth: Zach Wilson joined on a one-year deal, providing insurance behind the injury-prone Tua Tagovailoa .Wikipedia+3ESPN.com+3Athlon Sports+3
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Offensive Line Reinforcements: Braeden Daniels was added to bolster the line, bringing versatility and experience .Wikipedia
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Defensive Backfield: Safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis were signed to revamp the secondary .Miami Dolphins+1ESPN.com+1
Trade Rumors and Player Speculations
The offseason buzz centered around two marquee players:
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Tyreek Hill: The star receiver’s off-field issues and social media hints at a return to Kansas City fueled trade speculations. While no formal trade has occurred, the situation remains fluid .
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Jalen Ramsey: Reports emerged of the Dolphins exploring trade options for the veteran cornerback, signaling a potential shift towards a younger defensive core .
International Spotlight
In a historic announcement, the NFL revealed that the Dolphins would serve as the designated home team for the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Spain. Set to take place at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, this game underscores the NFL’s commitment to global expansion and offers the Dolphins a unique platform to showcase their brand internationally .NFL.com+2Canal Street Chronicles+2Miami Dolphins+2NFL.com
Looking Ahead
As the Dolphins navigate the offseason, the focus shifts to the upcoming NFL Draft and further roster evaluations. The team’s decisions in the coming months will be pivotal in shaping their trajectory for the 2025 season and beyond.The Phinsider