SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — The Miami Dolphins opened organized team activities this week with a new head coach, a new quarterback and a roster trying to rebound after a 7-10 season.
The Dolphins returned to the field with first-year head coach Jeff Hafley leading the way, quarterback Malik Willis taking first-team reps and a roster beginning to adjust to a new direction.
For Hafley, the early OTA practices are less about outcomes and more about evaluating how players absorb coaching and adapt to the standards he wants to establish.
“We’ve been through phase one which was learning,” Hafley said. “Can you take coaching? Can you take what you’ve learned in the classroom, what you’ve taken learning your fundamentals and techniques, and now not change who you are and start making stuff up and putting that all together? So, it’s kind of like part to whole. Can they do that?”
The Dolphins are still in the early stages of the offseason program, meaning practices remain non-contact and focused on installation, conditioning and fundamentals. Hafley said he is watching how players respond mentally and physically while learning a new system.
“This isn’t as physical as practices as we want to be,” Hafley said. “This is OTAs. … Are they running to the ball? Are they straining physically when they can and are they straining mentally when they can?”
One of the biggest storylines this spring is Willis, who is stepping into a larger role as he works to establish himself in Miami’s offense.
Hafley said the priority for Willis right now is keeping things simple.
“My main focus for him right now is to learn, learn the scheme, get to know the players, and not overdo the whole leadership thing,” Hafley said. “I think that’s my job and our job right now.”
Willis said leadership is something he expects to develop naturally.
“You build that over time, and I don’t think you just put somebody in a position to say, okay, you’re a leader now,” Willis said. “You got to earn that.”
Willis added that building chemistry with teammates and learning individual tendencies is one of the biggest focuses of the spring.
“I think it’s just reps,” Willis said. “That’s all this thing comes down to, reps, and understanding the timing.”
The Dolphins also welcomed back running back De’Von Achane, who signed a four-year contract extension earlier this May, after emerging as one of Miami’s top offensive playmakers.
Hafley called the deal important for the organization, saying rewarding productive players sends a message.
“I think it sends a good message when you have a player who was here on his first contract and has produced and had success to reward that player with a second contract,” Hafley said.
With OTAs continuing this week, the Dolphins are still months away from meaningful football. But for Hafley, the foundation is already being built through reps, habits and competition.