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Editor's note: This is Part 8 of 10 in Joe Schad'sMiami Dolphins summer series Q&A
MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins have not won a playoff game since December of 2000.
But in September they'll begin a new era.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis all come to South Florida from Green Bay.
Miami hopes to build around running back De'Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks and a handful of youngsters like Kadyn Proctor, Kenneth Grant, Chris Johnson, Patrick Paul and Jacob Rodriguez.
Miami Dolphins Q&A series: 10 questions shaping 2026 answered by Joe Schad.
The Question: What is a realistic path for Dolphins to surprise?
The answer: The key for the Miami Dolphins to surprise in 2026 is for quarterback Malik Willis to emerge as a star. It won't be easy, considering the talent around him is pretty bare.
If everything, and I mean everything, goes right for the Dolphins in 2026, there is a path to an unlikely finish of 7-10 or even 8-9.
Willis has a strong arm and is mobile. He would likely need to break out as an NFL star. He would need to limit interceptions, prove consistent accuracy, emerge as a great leader and carry the team to a few wins in which he's featured on Sportscenter highlights.
It almost always starts and ends with the quarterback. But..
The Dolphins would also need improved offensive line play. They would need Patrick Paul to take the next step, Kadyn Proctor to settle in at guard, Jonah Savaiinaea to make drastic improvement and right tackle Austin Jackson to stay healthy.
Miami would also need at least one receiver to dramatically exceed expectations. Perhaps rookie Chris Bell comes back from a knee injury quicker than expected and becomes an impact player right away. Perhaps rookie Caleb Douglas or Kevin Coleman, Jr., proves GM Jon-Eric Sullivan more-than-right.
Defensively, Miami would need to perform much better than expected under coach Jeff Hafley and coordinator Sean Duggan.
The Dolphins would need JuJu Brents-Jason Marshall-Chris Johnson to be an above-average cornerback corps. The Dolphins will need competent safety play from Dante Trader and Lonnie Johnson, Zayne Anderson or Michael Taafe.
Miami will need Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant to take the next leap in their career. How about Robinson matches the 10 sacks he posted in his first two seasons?
This won't be easy. The oddsmakers believe Miami is looking at a 4-13 or 5-12 season.
If there is strong player development and if there is injury luck, perhaps the Dolphins could pull off a 7-10 or 8-9 campaign in 2026.
Who would they beat in that scenario? Well, what if Miami posted defeats of these seven opponents:
at Raiders; Bengals; at Jets; Lions; at Colts; Jets; Bears
That's 7-10. Not impossible.
And a 7-10 finish in 2026 would be a remarkable accomplishment in the first season of the Hafley-Sullivan-Willis Dolphins era.
Which Dolphin under most pressure? Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 7 of 10
Will Dolphins' offensive line be good? Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 6 of 10
3 most interesting games in 2026: Miami Dolphins: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 5 of 10
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 8 of 10
Continue reading...
MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins have not won a playoff game since December of 2000.
But in September they'll begin a new era.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis all come to South Florida from Green Bay.
Miami hopes to build around running back De'Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks and a handful of youngsters like Kadyn Proctor, Kenneth Grant, Chris Johnson, Patrick Paul and Jacob Rodriguez.
Miami Dolphins Q&A series: 10 questions shaping 2026 answered by Joe Schad.
Part 8 of 10: Miami Dolphins' 2026 Q&A with Joe Schad
The Question: What is a realistic path for Dolphins to surprise?
The answer: The key for the Miami Dolphins to surprise in 2026 is for quarterback Malik Willis to emerge as a star. It won't be easy, considering the talent around him is pretty bare.
If everything, and I mean everything, goes right for the Dolphins in 2026, there is a path to an unlikely finish of 7-10 or even 8-9.
Willis has a strong arm and is mobile. He would likely need to break out as an NFL star. He would need to limit interceptions, prove consistent accuracy, emerge as a great leader and carry the team to a few wins in which he's featured on Sportscenter highlights.
It almost always starts and ends with the quarterback. But..
The Dolphins would also need improved offensive line play. They would need Patrick Paul to take the next step, Kadyn Proctor to settle in at guard, Jonah Savaiinaea to make drastic improvement and right tackle Austin Jackson to stay healthy.
Miami would also need at least one receiver to dramatically exceed expectations. Perhaps rookie Chris Bell comes back from a knee injury quicker than expected and becomes an impact player right away. Perhaps rookie Caleb Douglas or Kevin Coleman, Jr., proves GM Jon-Eric Sullivan more-than-right.
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Defensively, Miami would need to perform much better than expected under coach Jeff Hafley and coordinator Sean Duggan.
The Dolphins would need JuJu Brents-Jason Marshall-Chris Johnson to be an above-average cornerback corps. The Dolphins will need competent safety play from Dante Trader and Lonnie Johnson, Zayne Anderson or Michael Taafe.
Miami will need Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant to take the next leap in their career. How about Robinson matches the 10 sacks he posted in his first two seasons?
This won't be easy. The oddsmakers believe Miami is looking at a 4-13 or 5-12 season.
If there is strong player development and if there is injury luck, perhaps the Dolphins could pull off a 7-10 or 8-9 campaign in 2026.
Who would they beat in that scenario? Well, what if Miami posted defeats of these seven opponents:
at Raiders; Bengals; at Jets; Lions; at Colts; Jets; Bears
That's 7-10. Not impossible.
And a 7-10 finish in 2026 would be a remarkable accomplishment in the first season of the Hafley-Sullivan-Willis Dolphins era.
Which Dolphin under most pressure? Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 7 of 10
Will Dolphins' offensive line be good? Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 6 of 10
3 most interesting games in 2026: Miami Dolphins: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 5 of 10
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 8 of 10
Continue reading...
