Media and pundits are largely expecting a down season ahead for the Miami Dolphins after an offseason that saw veterans like Terron Armstead, Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, and Jonnu Smith leave the squad. Fullback and two-time captain Alec Ingold couldn’t care less.

“I don’t give a [expletive],” Ingold told reporters Tuesday. “Catch me in training camp. Catch these guys working. That noise can be great for some people, terrible for others. I really don’t care.”

Ingold is entering his seventh NFL season and fourth with the Dolphins. The 2023 Pro Bowl selection will undoubtedly be a key factor for the offense once again due to the unheralded, dirty work he performs. In addition to his blocking, Ingold has made the most of his opportunities when called upon.

He was targeted as a pass catcher 12 times in 2024, making 11 receptions that included three first-down conversions. As an occasional rusher, he had 10 carries last season, six of which moved the chains, and one that resulted in a touchdown. Over his three seasons in Miami, Ingold has found the end zone twice on the ground and once through the air, back in 2022.

On Tuesday, Ingold spoke about the team’s effort to establish a new identity heading into 2025.

“Culture really comes down to the shared character of when things are going wrong,” Ingold said. “What we can do right now during camp is manufacture that as best we can by competing, by bringing great energy, and truly pushing ourselves through that discomfort early on.

“I think if you can self-start that as a team, as a unit, that’s where, over time, you get to see what the character of the team is … that shared continuity.”

He then described what that shift could look like, stating, “A solid culture is one where people are their best selves. Their individual character is uplifted by the team culture, by the character of the entire room.”

The Dolphins have carried a stigma of being a “soft” team in recent years. With numerous veterans departing, this version of Miami’s roster is younger, but the Dolphins are hoping an emphasis on strengthening both the offensive and defensive trenches while fostering youthful leadership will yield fresh results.

“I think we’ve got to go out and prove it,” Ingold said. “We’ve got a fresh start. Really excited to see how it plays out.”