Miami Dolphins

0-0Power Rank#310

AI Summary

Miami enters 2026 mid-teardown: first-year head coach Jeff Hafley (formerly the Packers' defensive coordinator) replaces the fired Mike McDaniel after the Dolphins released Tua Tagovailoa for a record $99.2 million dead-cap hit, traded WR Jaylen Waddle to Denver and S Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Jets, and cut an injured Tyreek Hill, taking on more than $175 million in dead money in the process. Free-agent signee Malik Willis is set to be the Week 1 starting quarterback behind a retooled roster built around two first-round picks, OT Kadyn Proctor and CB Chris Johnson. Vegas has set Miami's win total at just 4.5 games, with most oddsmakers and analysts expecting a bottom-of-the-AFC-East season as the rebuild begins, and camp has already cost the team rookie DT Rene Konga and kicker Zane Gonzalez for the year.

Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026

Key Storylines

Full rebuild under first-year HC Jeff Hafley after Mike McDaniel's firing, with Tua Tagovailoa released (record $99.2M dead cap) and Malik Willis installed as the new starting QB
Receiving corps and secondary overhauled: WR Jaylen Waddle traded to Denver, WR Tyreek Hill released while recovering from 2025 ACL/knee surgery, and S Minkah Fitzpatrick dealt to the Jets
Two first-round picks from the 2026 draft, OT Kadyn Proctor (No. 12) and CB Chris Johnson (No. 27), with Johnson already drawing praise for lockdown camp reps
Vegas win total set at just 4.5 games, with most bettors and analysts projecting Miami near the bottom of the AFC East in Hafley's debut season
Defense forcing turnovers early in camp, with CB Miles Battle, S Major Burns and LB Jackson Woodard (pick-six) all producing interceptions

Injury Report

Rene Konga · DT
IR
Undrafted rookie suffered an undisclosed injury in camp that HC Jeff Hafley confirmed will keep him out for the entire 2026 season; Miami signed Fatorma Mulbah as depth behind him.
Zane Gonzalez · K
IR
Initially considered week-to-week before being placed on injured reserve, ending his season; Riley Patterson takes over kicking duties.
Clelin Ferrell · DE
Out
Expected to miss several weeks of camp/preseason with an undisclosed injury, per HC Jeff Hafley.
JuJu Brents · CB
Questionable
Not expected to practice for a stretch of camp, but the absence is not considered long-term.
Chris Bell · WR
Recovering
Rookie is working back onto the practice field after ACL surgery in December 2025; Hafley says he's 'in a really good place.'