The Miami Dolphins have been known for their high-flying offense the past few seasons. This year, they couldn’t find their groove. Between injuries to key players and a tough AFC schedule, the Dolphins narrowly missed the playoffs. There is still plenty of talent on this team, but there are likely major changes coming to the roster. Here are the three most important questions for the team this offseason.
1. What Can They Get For Tyreek Hill?
A month ago, this question may have been, “Should the Miami Dolphins trade Tyreek Hill?” The superstar wide receiver took care of that question. He made it pretty clear he wants out. On the surface, this looks really bad. Any time a star player demands a trade, it doesn’t look good. However, this might be a blessing in disguise.
Hill is on the wrong side of 30. This year was his worst year by far. After getting close to 2,000 yards last year, Hill had 81 catches for only 959 yards and six touchdowns. He only eclipsed 100 yards in a game twice in the 2024 season. While it hurts to see a productive player go, it might not be the worst thing to move him while he still has value.
What can the Miami Dolphins get for Tyreek Hill? It’s hard to say at this point. It seems unlikely that a team would be willing to part with a first-round pick. However, no matter what round, picks are valuable. All-Pro players can come from anywhere. Since Hill made the remarks, analysts have been predicting the teams who could use his services. What they are able to get for their star wide receiver depends on how in demand he is. The ship has probably sailed on him returning next year, so the Dolphins should cut their losses and move on.
2. Can Mike McDaniel Be An Elite Coach?
The Miami Dolphins head coach has been very entertaining to watch on the sidelines. His antics are fun, and his offenses have produced some jaw-dropping highlights. However, things aren’t as rosy as they might seem. His splits with and without Tua Tagovailoa aren’t great. In games with his starter, he is 25-17. Without Tagovailoa, he is only 3-7. Everyone’s splits aren’t as good when their backup is in, but we’ve seen great coaches able to win when their starter has to miss. Furthermore, his offensive rankings are also not as impressive as you might think. Here are some offensive rankings for the three years McDaniel has been the head coach.
- Points Per Game Rank: 11th, 3rd, 22nd
- Average Scoring Margin: 13th, 6th, 18th
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 27th, 7th, 21st
- Passing Yards Per Game: 6th, 2nd, 15th
- Yards Per Game: 8th, 3rd, 19th
There is no doubt the Miami Dolphins are a good team. However, they seem to rely on everything going exactly right. If one person is injured or the weather is too cold, the wheels fall off the offense. Next year is a prove-it year, in my opinion, for McDaniel. Not everyone is cut out to be a head coach. Some coaches are better coordinators. From what I’ve seen, McDaniel looks like the latter. If the Dolphins come out flat next year, the seat might start getting warm for their head coach.
3. What Does The Team Do To Backup Tua?
The Miami Dolphins are committed to Tagovailoa for the foreseeable future. However, they have to do a better job of preparing for his absence. Great teams have a quality backup There are two ways the team could go about it. One, sign a veteran who can come in and run the offense with little to no issue. This is a more win-now move as a veteran gives a floor of competence. If they are able to retain Hill, this might not be a bad option.
Two, draft a quarterback, maybe in round two or three. A first-round quarterback seems rather aggressive, especially with so many other roster holes. However, taking one on day two could work out well. It gives Tua a young backup but also gives the team a chance to hit on the quarterback of the future. It’s a riskier strategy that might be best for the franchise in the long run. Tagovailoa’s future is murky because of his concussion history. The team would be smart to try and find the next person now.
Final Thoughts
The Miami Dolphins are an interesting team to watch this offseason. They aren’t rebuilding but also aren’t in the top tier of contenders. The uncertainty of Hill’s situation, coupled with huge roster holes, makes this team very intriguing. Can they make the necessary upgrades to compete with the Bills for the division next year?