Miami Dolphins players might have the most difficult task ahead of the 2026 NFL season: Convince themselves they have a shot when the rest of the world has already buried them.

With preseason predictions coming from every angle at this part of the calendar, few, if any, will provide Miami players with much optimism on how the campaign might go. The Dolphins, in a full-on rebuild, are expected to be at the bottom of the league in 2026.

Given the physicality of the job, however, players can’t get caught up in that talk. In the void of optimism that most clubs share at this stage, Dolphins leaders like linebacker Jordyn Brooks are leaning into the underdog mentality.

“I don’t think we have a choice, honestly,” Brooks said via the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “I don’t think there’s one outlet, social media, anyone that’s got us picked to win anything. Not that it matters, but it’s just what it is. I don’t think any of our opponents respect us. So, 100% underdog mindset. And I think that’s always the best position to be in. So we’re going to carry that mindset into the season, have that ‘us against the world’ mentality and do our best to win football games.”

The Dolphins’ overhaul, which included eating roughly $181.6 million in dead cap space, was highlighted by their acquisition of seven players off waivers on Monday. The club taking on a significant number of employees who couldn’t make other rosters underscores the club’s state.

The optics around the Dolphins could make life difficult for first-year coach Jeff Hafley, who will have to break through the negative chatter if it leaks into the locker room. Brooks noted that the coach’s philosophy and approach to the game will make it easier, particularly with a roster that might be outmatched week to week.

“To me, physicality is a choice. It takes no talent,” Brooks said. “It’s just a decision that one man has to make on whether he wants to be physical or not. It’s a mindset that we’re trying to bleed into this team on a consistent basis.”

Added Brooks: “That’s what we’re in the process of doing, being the most physical and toughest team in the league.”

The question is whether physicality and toughness can overcome the talent disparity to help the Dolphins win more than a handful of games in 2026.