Chris Perkins: Dolphins seem headed for mediocrity again, and fan frustration is building

Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Aug 16, 2025

Published in Football

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I understand why Miami Dolphins fans are frustrated after two sessions of joint practices against the Detroit Lions — their team once again seems destined for mediocrity, which is the neighborhood they’ve resided the last 25 years.

You see the frustration on social media. You see it via email. You hear about it talking to fans. You hear about it listening to fans.

And you know what? I don’t blame Dolphins fans for being frustrated. They have a right to be frustrated.

To be clear, the Dolphins don’t appear to be a bad team after two days of practicing against the Lions, who are expected to be Super Bowl contenders. The Dolphins appear to be so-so, somewhere in the 8-, 9- or 10-win territory but, more importantly, nowhere near winning a playoff game.

That’s the major frustration for fans.

Results-wise, nothing has changed under the leadership of general manager Chris Grier, coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

McDaniel and Tagovailoa were (over) hyped as a special duo. They’ve been mediocre, and that becomes more apparent each year.

You’ll recall the Dolphins beat Detroit 31-27 in 2022. The Dolphins raised their record to 5-3 with that win, and the Lions sank to 1-6 with that loss.

Results have gone in opposite directions for both franchises since that game.

The Dolphins have a mediocre 23-20 (.535) record and are 0-2 in the playoffs.

The Lions have a sparkling 35-9 (.795) record and are 2-2 in the playoffs, including an appearance in the NFC Championship game.

To me, all of this means the Dolphins still won’t be able to compete with playoff-caliber teams this season. As a reminder, the Dolphins are 2-10 vs. playoff teams in the last two seasons (1-6 in 2023, 1-4 in 2024). Tua has started all 12 games, throwing 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Neither wide receiver Tyreek Hill nor Jaylen Waddle has a 100-yard game vs. a playoff opponent in that 12-game span.

That trend, judging from the Detroit joint practices, will extend into 2025.

We’re halfway through training camp and about three weeks from the Sept. 7 season opener at Indianapolis. Here’s where things stand on some key issues for this team heading into Saturday’s 1 p.m. preseason game at Detroit:

Toughness

Improving. The Dolphins aren’t close to being called a tough team. But they appear tougher than previous years under McDaniel. Their second day of practice against the Lions showed bounce-back toughness after they were dominated physically during the first practice.

Front seven

Grown men. The defensive front seven, led by defensive tackle Zach Sieler, edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson, and inside linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, will be the strength of the team. They’ve had a strong training camp. They could be dominant/game-changing this season. These guys are good and are living up to my hype.

Physical run game

Lacking. Losing running back Alexander Mattison (neck) might be as impactful as losing cornerback Kader Kohou (knee). Mattison gave the run game power, which, in the NFL, translates to respect. De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II just don’t have the same impact Mattison was having. Achane is a quality back, as his 1,499 yards from scrimmage last season attests, but he doesn’t provide that inside run toughness that causes defenses to drop an eighth man into the box. Mattison was providing that quality.

Backup OL

Needs improvement. Offensive line depth is the worst it’s been in the McDaniel era.

Backup QB

Remains an issue. It appears Zach Wilson could be just as good as some other backups such as Skylar Thompson, Teddy Bridgewater, Mike White and Tyler Huntley. But it doesn’t appear Wilson will be significantly better than any of them.

Overall depth

Worrisome. The depth struggles are because the Dolphins are transitioning from “win now” to “win with youth and draftees.” The question is whether Grier and McDaniel will be around long enough to see this philosophical change through to fruition, which, at this rate, would seem to require two years to get a playoff win.

I don’t expect the Dolphins to be bad this season. In fact, from what we’ve seen, I’d be mildly shocked if they have a losing record. They have too much talent, primarily among their starters, to have a losing record.

But I’d be greatly shocked if they won a playoff game. They seem a long way away from that goal both strategically and philosophically. The Dolphins seem headed for mediocrity once again, and that’s why Dolphins fans are understandably frustrated.

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