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The Dolphins ranked 29th in ESPN’s Power Rankings
Unfortunately for the Miami Dolphins, it seems another rebuild is in order. After four consecutive winning seasons from 2020 to 2023, the Dolphins have now had consecutive losing seasons and the team lacks the cap space to build a contender through free agency.
The Dolphins are also expected to lose veteran players like Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick due to their salary cap constraints. Perhaps worst of all for Miami, they believed they had their franchise quarterback when they signed Tua Tagovailoa to a four-year extension prior to the 2024 season. Two years later, the team is planning to either trade or release the former Pro Bowl quarterback.
That leaves the Dolphins with a weakened roster and an entirely new coaching staff and general manager. For those reasons, ESPN does not think the 2026 season will be kind to Miami.
Miami Dolphins Ranked No. 29 in Power Rankings
Despite hiring a new head coach and general manager, ESPN thinks Miami’s turnaround will not come this season. In their latest power rankings, Miami was ranked 29th in the NFL, ahead of only the Raiders, Browns and Jets. However, the Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick, which they will likely use on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, which might propel them up the rankings.
ESPN gave the Dolphins a three-word message which said: “Time to rebuild.”
Additionally, regarding the Dolphins ranking on the list, ESPN’s Dolphins writer Marcel Louis-Jacques wrote, “The Dolphins hired a new general manager and head coach this offseason, as team owner Stephen Ross avoided the half-measures he has taken in years past. Under Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, Miami wants to establish a new culture — an act that often requires a shuffling of both players and personnel. With a difficult schedule, thin roster and limited starting quarterback options, the Dolphins are likely facing at least a yearlong rebuild in 2026.”
Ultimately, a yearlong rebuild would be a disappointment for Dolphins fans after the excitement that the 2022 and 2023 seasons provided. In each of those seasons, injuries played a role in their ultimate demise as they failed to win a playoff game. However, two seasons have since passed and the Dolphins have not regained the explosiveness they had. For that reason, owner Stephen Ross made the sweeping changes Marcel Louis-Jacques referenced.
2026 Miami Dolphins
Of course, things can always change. A strong quarterback–head coach pairing can alter the course of a franchise.The division rival Patriots are the obvious example as they reached the Super Bowl with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel after a 4-13 season.
The Dolphins will have to hope that Jeff Hafley is the right head coach for the future of the team, though the quarterback position remains unsettled. Miami has several options at quarterback position. They could go with someone familiar to Hafley and Sullivan in Malik Willis, who is an unproven but talented player with upside. There is also the option for a bridge quarterback like Kirk Cousins, or Derek Carr, who has been rumored to come out of retirement. Finally, Miami could opt to hand the reins to Quinn Ewers, who started the final three games of the season for the Dolphins.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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