MIAMI GARDENS — Almost everyone would agree it was a failed season for the Miami Dolphins. That’s now two consecutive years in which that’s been the case.

The Dolphins (7-10) were one game worse this season than they were in the 2024 season as coach Mike McDaniel (35-33 regular season, 35-35 overall) posted the worst record of his four-year era.

As an indication of how badly things went, consider that during the season the Dolphins fired their general manager (Chris Grier) and demoted their quarterback (Tua Tagovailoa).

That’s what happens when you start 0-3, 1-6 and 2-7. 

Yes, the Dolphins did well to reel off a four-game winning streak and win five out of six games. But they were 1-6 against playoff teams, meaning for the fourth consecutive season they beat bad teams and lost to good teams.

There’s more. Seven of Miami’s 10 losses were by double-digit margins. That’s the worst of the McDaniel era. Last season, it was five of nine losses by double-digit margins, in 2023 it was three of six losses, and in 2022 it was three of eight losses.

Drilling down further, five of the Dolphins’ 10 losses were by 22 or more points.

Here’s the 2025 season’s report card: 

Quarterbacks: F

Tagovailoa (260 of 384, 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, career-worst 15 interceptions, 88.5 passer rating) had a rough season. His passer rating was second-worst of his career after the 87.1 passer rating in his rookie season. Tagovailoa’s passes lost their zip and he appeared to lose confidence and was eventually benched.

Rookie Quinn Ewers (55 of 83, 622 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, 85.5 passer rating) posted a 1-2 record as a starter. Veteran Zach Wilson (6 of 11, 32 yards) hardly played. This position must be rebuilt.

Running backs: A

De’Von Achane (1,350 yards rushing, eight touchdowns; 67 receptions, 488 yards, four touchdowns), the team’s sole Pro Bowl selection, posted one of the most productive seasons for a running back in franchise history. The Dolphins shifted to a run-first offense midseason and Achane delivered.

Jaylen Wright (70 carries, 288 yards, two touchdowns) was OK while averaging a respectable 4.1 yards per carry. Rookie Ollie Gordon II (70 carries, 199 yards, 2.8 ypc, three touchdowns) flashed in short yardage but never quite found a role.

Tight ends: D

Darren Waller (24 receptions, 283 yards, six touchdowns), who came out of retirement, only played in nine games as injuries plagued him all season. Still, he was highly productive in spurts.

Greg Dulcich (26 receptions, 335 yards, one touchdown) emerged late in the season and showed promise. Julian Hill (15 receptions, 140 yards) was OK, not necessarily good, as an in-line, or blocking tight end.

Wide receivers: D

Tyreek Hill (21 receptions, 265 yards, one touchdown) played in four games before going down with a season-ending knee injury. That was crushing on a few levels.

Jaylen Waddle (64 receptions, 910 yards, six touchdowns) failed to reach 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season and second time in his five-year career. Malik Washington (46 receptions, 317 yards, three touchdowns), a speedster, averaged a mere 6.9 yards per reception. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (11 receptions, 89 yards) never found a role. 

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Offensive live: B

Shockingly, there are no major complaints at offensive line, a position that’s haunted this franchise for years. Center Aaron Brewer, who established himself as a true team leader in his second season with the Dolphins, was the tone-setter. Left tackle Patrick Paul was the second-best offensive lineman.

Rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea struggled early but found his footing late. Right guard Cole Strange did good work in relief of injured James Daniels (pectoral), the team’s top free agent addition who only lasted three snaps. Right tackle Larry Borom did good work in place of injured starter Austin Jackson. Daniel Brunskill found a valued role as the sixth offensive lineman, aiding the run.

Defensive tackle: D-

The defensive tackles, including Zach Sieler, were a disappointment. But you could argue they were set up to fail considering they were relying largely on rookies and so-so veterans (Benito Jones and Matthew Butler). That’s a big reason why Miami’s run defense was 26th in the league at 132.4 yards allowed per game.

Sieler’s 47 tackles were tied for ninth on the team. After recording back-to-back 10-sack seasons, he only had  5.5 sacks this season. Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, recorded 33 tackles and 3.0 sacks. He disappointed. Rookie Jordan Phillips (35 tackles) was the most promising youngster. Zeek Biggers (20 tackles, 1.5 sacks), the seventh-round pick, flashed late in the season. 

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Line backers: C-

There weren’t enough impact plays, especially early in the season, from this group. Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the NFL in tackles with 183 in what should have been a Pro Bowl season. Fellow inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson had 129 tackles, second-best on the team, and 5.0 sacks, third on the team.

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb had a team-best 8.5 sacks, most coming later in the season. Outside linebacker Chop Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick, had a disappointing season against the run and pass with 21 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Jaelan Phillips, the former first-round pick, was sent Philadelphia at the trade deadline. 

Cornerbacks: C

Rasul Douglas (62 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble) and Jack Jones (77 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles) turned into a decent starting duo. This crew took big injury hits early with nickel/slot Kader Kohou (knee) and then Storm Duck (ankle/knee) and JuJu Brents (foot) going down.

Cam Smith, the 2023 second-round pick, was cut after not meeting expectations. Rookie Jason Marshall Jr. (23 tackles, one interception) showed promise. Obviously, trading veteran Jalen Ramsey before the season created a major hole.

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Safeties: D

Minkah Fitzpatrick (82 tackles, one interception, one sack, one forced fumble, two recovered fumbles) was good, especially considering he played the nickel/slot role for most of the season.

Ashtyn Davis (65 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble) and Iffy Melinfonwu (53 tackles, one interception, one sack) were inconsistent, which is largely what was expected of each because they were unproven as starters. Rookie Dante Trader Jr. (54 tackles) showed promise.

Special teams: C-

Kicker Riley Patterson (27 of 29 on field goals) had the most accurate season in franchise history at 93.1 percent. Punter Jake Bailey (47.7 yards per punt, 42.6 yards net punting average, both 12th in NFL) was good.

But special teams were inconsistent among roughing the punter and running into the punter penlaties, allowing a kickoff return touchdown immediately after recording a punt return touchdown, and failing to recover an onside kick. They ended the season fairly well with a couple of blocked field goal attempts.

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Coaching: F

The Dolphins appeared unprepared and uninspired while getting blasted in the season opener at Indianapolis and they never fully recovered. The team regressed greatly at quarterback, and the defensive front seven didn’t deliver until late in the season.

Interestingly, McDaniel did his best coaching in four years in keeping the team together and shifting to a run-first offense. But that’s outweighed greatly by the quarterback regression and sluggish start to the season.

Overall, team improvement and player development — collectively, as position groups and as individuals — simply wasn’t good enough. And you’ll recall developing youngsters and draftees was a major goal coming into the season.

Overall: F

Don’t add up the grades, add up the misery. Miami went backward for the second consecutive season and a major rebuild is underway on and off the field.

It seems McDaniel will survive. But even the silver lining of the season is accompanied by a gray cloud. Yes, rookie draftees got playing opportunities but none was a standout, and the top two picks were closer to disappointments than successes. It was a wasted season.