The Miami Dolphins entered the 2025 season aiming to build on recent success but instead find themselves in a steep decline. With a 2-7 start and public scrutiny mounting, the team’s struggles have become a major talking point across the league.
What’s going wrong
A key factor behind the Dolphins’ woes is breakdowns in fundamentals: poor execution, defensive lapses and key injuries. Head coach Mike McDaniel did not mince words after a recent loss, saying “We deserve for it to feel terrible.” He added, “We have been putting such an emphasis on all things related to our operation… we have been putting ourselves in those positions.” Defensive failures have been especially costly: one game saw Miami give up 239 rushing yards while rushing for only 19.
Beyond execution issues, leadership and accountability have been cited as weaknesses. After a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa admitted, “I haven’t played anywhere near the standard that I’ve played in years past.” Meanwhile, McDaniel called the quarterback’s public criticism of the locker room a “misguided representation” of the team’s situation.
Front-office decisions are also under fire. After the loss to the Baltimore Ravens dropped Miami to 2-7, the organization and general manager Chris Grier mutually agreed to part ways. Former NFL executive Joe Banner even suggested the team lacks the right structure, saying: “They need the right head coach, the right GM, and a team president. The Dolphins don’t have any of that.”
Injury and roster depth issues
The Dolphins’ offense, which at its best in past seasons ranked among the league’s most explosive, has sputtered this year. Tagovailoa’s mobility remains affected by past injuries, and the offense lacks consistency. On defense, injuries to key players and a lack of depth have led to mismatches and big plays given up late in games. Analysts point to Miami’s inability to win close games and close out leads as indicative of deeper problems.
What analysts are saying
Veteran analyst Bill Cowher described Miami’s recent performance as “disinterested” and “deflated,” noting the team’s lack of second-half fight and suggesting internal issues outside the 53-man roster. That tough assessment aligns with growing external pressure. As one outlet put it: “The 2025 Miami Dolphins are fundamentally broken.”
The broader impact
This is not just a bad stretch of games. The Dolphins’ slide significantly reduces the odds of meaningful contributions to the list of the league’s key passing, rushing or special teams names, including the NFL’s touchdown scorers. Beyond that, this season may force organizational changes and reset expectations for the near future.
Where do they go from here
McDaniel stressed that control lies with the team: “Our team’s performance lies squarely on my shoulders.” Players such as Jaelan Phillips have spoken about regrouping after early setbacks: “I think we just don’t lose trust in ourselves; we don’t lose confidence.” But their words still contrast with the results on the field.
Fixing this season will require several elements: consistent leadership, upgraded roster depth, improved execution in critical moments and better communication and discipline across the board. The front office change is a signal that the organization recognizes the magnitude of the problem.
In short, the Miami Dolphins began the 2025 season with high hopes but have instead faltered on multiple fronts. Defensive breakdowns, offensive inconsistency, leadership challenges and organizational instability all contribute to a worrying trend. With analysts publicly questioning the mindset of the team and key decisions being made at the front office level, Miami finds itself at a crossroads. The question now is whether they can stop the slide, regain cohesion and salvage something from a season that has started poorly.