The Miami Dolphins lost a lot of talent in free agency over the past couple of seasons, and have struggled to replace those players on what should be a competitive roster. Louis Riddick gave his thoughts on the Dolphins following the trades for Minkah Fitzpatrick and Darren Waller.
Jalen Ramsey finally got his exit from the Miami Dolphins on the final day of June. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers along with tight end Jonnu Smith in a rare player-for-player deal that saw Minkah Fitzpatrick go the other way. Fans and analysts are trying to figure out what exactly the Dolphins might look like in 2025, a crucial year for all involved.
David Santiago/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesMiami’s intense challenge for the 2025 season following turnover
The Dolphins appeared to be ascending under head coach Mike McDaniel, going from a 9-8 record in his first season in charge in 2022 to an 11-6 record in 2023. That said, on both occasions, they crumbled out of the playoffs without that ever elusive playoff game win.
Things then spiraled out of control in 2024. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed more game time through injury, and despite their late-season efforts, it was too little, too late when it came to trying to recover the season.
Many now believe that both Coach McDaniel and GM Chris Grier are on the hot seat, and could be out of a job if the Dolphins perform poorly again in 2025. It will be McDaniel’s fourth season in charge, and Grier’s 10th as the team’s general manager.
So far this offseason, the Dolphins have lost a wealth of talent in what is supposed to be a crucial year. Offensive tackle Terron Armstead retired, Calais Campbell opted to go back to the Arizona Cardinals, and the entire starting secondary, barring Kader Kohou, has left in one way or another.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller was cut, safety Jordan Poyer’s contract expired, Jevon Holland signed with the New York Giants, and Jalen Ramsey was traded this week to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This was the best play of the whole weekend and it wasn’t close. This moment right here flipped the whole game on its head. Jevon Holland is a baller. pic.twitter.com/zoi5XqKgND
— Alex Buck 🏈 (@AlexandtheNFL) September 9, 2024
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Initially, the trade was reported as only involving Ramsey, but as the details came out, it was revealed that safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was drafted by the Dolphins in 2018, was being sent the other way in the deal. Tight end Jonnu Smith’s name was then added to the trade, with the teams exchanging late-round picks to wrap it all up.
Jonnu Smith had a Pro Bowl season for Miami in 2024 and reportedly wanted a bump in his contract. The Dolphins refused, and he was instead dealt to Pittsburgh, where he’ll reunite with former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
After trading Smith, the Dolphins wasted no time in finding a new starting tight end. They’d been calling teams on a deal, and landed on retired TE Darren Waller, who still belonged to the New York Giants.
Following that move, Louis Riddick took to X, saying:
“Dolphins the very definition of uncertainty going into 2025. Have zero idea what this team will look like, play like, come together like chemistry wise. Zero. Fascinating to me.”
#Dolphins the very definition of uncertainty going into 2025. Have zero idea what this team will look like, play like, come together like chemistry wise.
Zero. Fascinating to me.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) July 1, 2025
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Miami have countless questions all over the depth chart, while also possessing some of the most explosive talent in the league. They’re one of the most puzzling franchises heading into 2025, and Riddick’s thoughts echo those of many fans around the league.
Miami Dolphins question marks in 2025
Miami’s offensive line has been a problem for years now, and now they’ll be without their leader for the last few years in Terron Armstead. He was easily the most experienced of the group, but struggled to play through pain in 2024, and decided it was the right time to hang it up.
Second-year tackle Patrick Paul is now expected to fill the void with limited experience, and Miami added versatile guard Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round of the draft while searching for reinforcements.
The other major concern for Miami is the secondary, which already leaked a lot of star power before Jalen Ramsey was traded. Without him, the cornerback group is among the most inexperienced in the NFL.
The Minkah Fitzpatrick addition almost adds to the confusion. Before that, it seemed as though the Dolphins were headed for something of a mini-reset year, but you don’t trade for a three-time first-team All-Pro safety if you’re headed down that road.
Darren Waller didn’t play at all in 2024, and has battled a lot of injuries in his career, particularly in the years leading to his retirement. He hasn’t caught more than three touchdowns in a season since 2020, and is heading in the 2025 season having spent a year away from the game, approaching 33 years old.
The questions continue to mount for Miami fans, but the franchise also has one of the best wide receiver duos in football, an explosive group of running backs, and some of the most exciting young pass rushers in the game on the defensive line.
Miami will remain a mystery until the season begins, and then we’ll see just what they’re capable of in 2025.