MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Here’s what I like about this Miami Dolphins rebuild — it continues to be a rebuke of everything that was done previously, on and off the field. We’re seeing major change in this organization. Maybe it’s not a 180-degree change, but it’s about 170 degrees.
The revamped 53-man active roster is the most recent example.
There’s probably only a half dozen influential players from the 2025 Dolphins on the 2026 squad.
This roster has been flipped, and I like the ideology behind the roster changes.
This 53-man roster, constructed by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, focuses on physicality, running the ball and strength in the trenches instead of speed and finesse.
Clearly, the 2026 Dolphins don’t want much association with the 2025 Dolphins.
Or, put another way, in the bigger picture culture change continues to happen with the 2026 Dolphins at all levels. Executives. Front office. Coaches. Players. And, now, roster construction.
This roster says a lot about the direction of this franchise now and in the future.
“I think it says that we are looking at ourselves honestly, and that any chance we get to get better, we’re going to get better,” Sullivan said.
This 53-man roster is a brutally honest assessment of where things stand, and honestly the assessment is that what was here previously simply wasn’t good enough.
“We’re not going to tell ourselves lies when things aren’t getting done at the level that they need to get done,” Sullivan said, “and we’re going to continually turn over rocks to get better at every turn.”
I can’t guarantee this top-to-bottom reset will result in a playoff victory, something this organization hasn’t seen since 2000, or more.
But I continue to like what I’m seeing as the major tentpoles of this massive on- and off-field restructure.
The “pillars” of this refurbished team (running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks) are more solid than the previous pillars (quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle).
I like the draft-and-develop philosophy. It fits this team and this rebuild.
And I like the brutal honesty of this regime.
The changes under Sullivan and Hafley are all very refreshing and reassuring.
As I’ve stated previously, the actions and attitudes of Sullivan and Hafley are closely aligned with the Miami Heat championship teams I covered (2006, 2012) and the 2001 University of Miami football national championship team that I covered while under construction (1997-99).
Admittedly, I’m not “all-in” yet on what the Dolphins are doing. I’m wait-and-see on some aspects of the rebuild.
Quarterback Malik Willis is atop the list. He’s a class act and I wish him well. I think he’ll be good, but never great.
There’s also the new power structure that features Daniel Sillman, the 37-year-old CEO of Ross Sports & Entertainment, near the top of the pyramid. He has pro sports experience, but no NFL experience.
And let’s not forget Sullivan is a first-time GM and Hafley is a first-time NFL head coach.
There’s risk up and down this rebuild.
But I give owner Steve Ross big-time credit for making these bold moves. It’s gutsy.
All of these changes come under the umbrella of one the most massive organizational house cleanings the NFL has seen in recent memory. It was necessary.
Back to the roster …
Who is among that half dozen influential players from last year still on the roster? Achane, Brooks, Brewer, defensive tackle Zach Sieler, left tackle Patrick Paul and right tackle Austin Jackson.
That’s it. And Jackson only played six games due to injury.
This is a shift in mindset and attitude.
This 53-man roster has very little similarity to the rosters of the previous regime.
Of course, there’s also an element of “we’re smarter than you” with this roster construction when you consider they kept players such as wide receiver Ryan Miller, defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr., or bringing in backup quarterbacks who will have only been in the system for two weeks when the Dolphins open at Las Vegas on Sept. 13.
“If you deem something not good enough, then you have to address it,” Sullivan said. “It’s my job to make sure that we are as competitive as we can be in the moment, given the circumstances. And if we sit on our hands so that it’s comfortable, then I’m not doing my job as a general manager.”
I’m excited to see what happens with this rebuild. I like the thought process and the logic behind those thoughts. It’s fascinating.
And for those who think this is going to be a boring season, I’ve got two words for you: you’re crazy.
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