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The Miami Dolphins ranked first among NFL teams by the NFLPA
The Miami Dolphins were a disappointment in the 2025 season. After starting 2-7, the team failed to meet expectations despite a rally in the second half of the season. With a 7-10 record, they finished below .500 for the second consecutive season and missed out on the postseason.
That resulted in Dolphins owner Stephen Ross firing general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel. Ross hired Jon-Eric Sullivan as the new general manager and Jeff Hafley as the new head coach. With them at the helm, the Dolphins will aim to put out a better team than they have these previous two seasons.
However, the team did receive some positive news regarding the overall Miami Dolphins organization.
Miami Dolphins Ranked First by Players
ESPN released the results of the NFL Players Association 2026 report cards. The survey answered by players grades teams from A-plus to F-minus on everything from ownership to treatment of families. Regarding the surveys, ESPN said, “This year’s report cards are based on responses from 1,759 players. All players who were on a 2025 roster at the time of the survey were eligible to participate, and it was conducted from Nov. 2 to Dec. 11.
The good news for the Dolphins is that they ranked first among NFL teams for the third consecutive year. The NFLPA said about the Miami Dolphins, “Players consistently describe the organization as ‘the best in the NFL.’”
On each individual category the Dolphins graded out as, “Treatment of Families: B+
Home Game Field: A-, Food/Dining Area: A, Nutritionist/Dietician: A-, Locker Room: A-, Training Room: A, Training Staff: A, Weight Room: A+, Strength Coaches: A+, Position Coaches: A-, Offensive Coordinator: A-, Defensive Coordinator: A, Special Teams Coordinator: B, Team Travel: A, Head Coach: B, General Manager: A-, Team Ownership: A.”
The two lowest grades for the Dolphins were for head coach Mike McDaniel, and their special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman. Neither were retained heading into the 2026 season.
Takeaways From Survey
Despite finishing first, the Dolphins saw a dip in their grade for their head coach. McDaniel previously had an A+ in the 2025 season, which went down to a B in 2026. ESPN writer Kalyn Kahler wrote of the dip, “Former Miami coach Mike McDaniel’s grade dropped from an A-plus to a B. “Players identify scheduling, communication, and leadership as key areas for head coaching improvement, presenting an opportunity for [new head coach Jeff] Hafley next season,” the survey said.”
Additionally, Sports Illustrated’s Alain Poupart noted Miami’s high grade regarding their strength coaches, despite the team’s high number of injuries. He wrote, “The Dolphins have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries in recent seasons, but the grades related to keeping the players healthy all were good. The Dolphins got an A for nutritionist/dietician, training room and training staff, and an A-plus for both weight room and strength coaches.”
While owner Stephen Ross has done a good job according to the players, on-field results have not reflected that success, as the team has yet to win a playoff game under his ownership. The team will hope that it improves under new head coach Jeff Hafley, while their overall grades stay the same.
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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