The Miami Dolphins (11-6) ended the 2023 Playoffs the same way they ended the 2022 playoffs by losing a road playoff game in the bitter cold. The Dolphins were defeated 26-7 by the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round. The game was -4 degrees with a wind chill of -27 at kickoff. This was the third-coldest game in league history.
The Dolphins faltered down the stretch of the regular season, losing two of their last three games and falling to the sixth seed in the AFC Playoffs.
Led by QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Tyreek Hill, Miami was the second-highest scoring team in the league last season (29.2 ppg) and Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards.
Miami Dolphins 2024 Forecast
The Dolphins head into the offseason looking to rework a defense without defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Miami’s defense, like the rest of the team, played their worst football at the end of the season. The Chiefs ran for 147 yards in the Wild Card Round and the Miami defense surrendered 473 total yards at home against the Buffalo Bills in a home game with the division up for grabs.
Miami tapped former Baltimore Ravens Defensive Line Coach Anthony Weaver to replace Fangio.
Many of the Dolphins’ key players are under contract for 2024, but the team is currently $51 million over the salary cap entering the offseason. General Manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel will need to make tough decisions this offseason to get their cap in order heading into the 2024 season.
Miami holds the 21st overall pick in this April’s NFL Draft.
Miami’s Options At The Quarterback Position
Tagovailoa was drafted fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and has one year remaining on his rookie contract. Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have not come to terms on a long-term deal.
NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Jimmy Johnson thinks the Dolphins should extend Tagovailoa this offseason:
“Winning QBs are extremely hard to find. I think you give Tua a contract and you say he’s my franchise QB and you build around him. I don’t think there’s any questions about that.”
Tagovailoa has shown that he is an above-average starting QB, but only time will tell if he could be the driving force behind a Super Bowl-winning team.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports.
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