MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins will be looking into a mirror as well as a crystal ball when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their home finale. 

Here’s what they’ll see: There’s a good chance many of their key players on Sunday — quarterback Quinn Ewers, running back De’Von Achane, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, center Aaron Brewer, left tackle Patrick Paul, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, defensive tackles Zach Sieler, Jordan Phillips and Kenneth Grant, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, edge rusher Chop Robinson, safety Dante Trader, Jr. — will be key players in 2026.

The 2026 Dolphins, whose general manager and coach haven’t been confirmed, could welcome back as many as eight offensive starters and five defensive starters along with a decent amount of youthful depth.

After all, most likely the Dolphins’ 2026 rebuild, re-tool, rebuild-on-the-fly — or whatever it gets called, will be aimed at reigning in finances more than overhauling talent.

Coach Mike McDaniel doesn’t talk about 2026. He maintains he’s only looking at 2025 and trying to beat the Buccaneers (7-8), who are still fighting for a spot in the postseason.

But owner Steve Ross and fans are likely looking ahead to 2026, when young, low-priced labor becomes more of a necessity. 

McDaniel acknowledges that he has conversations with interim general manager Champ Kelly that have overlapping benefits.

“I think the bigger thing is (that) having an open dialogue of who gives us the best chance to win has been very beneficial this particular year with the given roster we have,” McDaniel said.

To that end, one goal for the 2025 season was trying to win with youth and draftees. The Dolphins (6-9) haven’t won, but they’ve played a number of young players and all of their draftees.

Begin at quarterback where Ewers, the rookie seventh-round pick, will make his second consecutive start against Tampa Bay. Ewers has his eyes firmly set on beating the Buccaneers. But he’s aware good performances in these final few games could earn him a shot at a starting job in 2026.

“To be honest, I’m not really thinking about that right now,” Ewers said, before later adding. “At the end of the day, whatever happens, happens; but I hope to put myself in a position for sure to be in the mix whenever the time comes.”

In the bigger picture, consider all the Dolphins’ key players on Sunday who will be key players in 2026.

In the backfield, Achane, a Pro Bowl selection who will likely seek a contract extension this offseason, will return for 2026 as well as fullback Alec Ingold, a Pro Bowl first alternate.

Waddle, a Pro Bowl first alternate, is another returning starter. 

On the offensive line Paul, Savaiinaea, Brewer and right tackle Austin Jackson are all scheduled to return.

Defensively, Sieler, Phillips and Grant, the first-round pick, return along with Brooks, fellow linebacker Tyrel Dodson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (who won’t play Sunday due to a calf injury).

Of course, there will be some 2026 uncertainty among those on the field Sunday.

Behind the aforementioned returning starters are a group of veteran starters or key contributors who are either on one-year contracts in 2025 or in the final year of their contracts such as defensive tackle Benito Jones, cornerbacks Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas, and safeties Ashtyn Davis and Iffy Melinfonwu. It’s unclear who returns among this group.

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who will cost $31.2 million against the salary cap next season, might be in a class by himself as a high-salaried veteran starter who could be on his way out the door. Well, benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the injured wide receiver Tyreek Hill are also in that category but technically they’re neither starters nor major contributors at this point.

The Dolphins knew what they had to do in 2025 to set themselves up for 2026, and to a certain extent they can say they succeeded.

For example, six of this year’s eight draftees have started at least one game this season, and all eight could get playing time Sunday. Many are headed for big roles on the 2026 team. 

“That’s a calculated measure that I think, especially in today’s salary cap era where 45 percent of players are new really on every team, it’s that much more important guys that you have on a committed four- to five-year contract that they will end up painting the picture of what type of team you are based on their character and how they handle themselves,” McDaniel said. 

“It’s a bright spot that I’ll surely reflect on after it is reflection time. But right now it’s Tampa time.” 

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