As the Miami Dolphins enter July 2025, pressure mounts on Coach McDaniel. Can rookies Kenneth Grant & Jaylen Wright make an impact? An inside look at the stakes.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
It's a quiet Saturday in mid-July, but don't let the silence fool you. For the Miami Dolphins, the pressure is mounting. After missing the playoffs in 2024, the heat is on Head Coach Mike McDaniel and the front office. With training camp kicking off in just ten days on July 22, the time for answers is fast approaching.
No spirit can outlast the one that’s building beneath the surface.
The narrative for 2025 is clear: win now. After a disappointing end to the 2024 season, both Head Coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier are firmly on the hot seat. A quiet offseason, dictated by a tight salary cap, meant limited veteran upgrades, placing the onus on the current roster and coaching staff to elevate their game. The Dolphins enter the year projected second in the AFC East, but organizational patience is wearing thin; another year without playoff football is not an option.
The front office's primary focus was reinforcing the lines in the draft. First-round pick Kenneth Grant, a massive 6'4", 331 lbs defensive tackle, is expected to be an immediate anchor. He's joined by second-rounders Jaylen Wright, a running back who averaged an explosive 7.4 yards per carry at Tennessee, and offensive tackle Patrick Paul. While the draft brought reinforcements, questions linger elsewhere. The tight end room is a major concern following the trade of Jonnu Smith. The team is looking for someone to step up, with Elijah Hill (12 catches for 100 yards in 2024) getting a shot to prove he can be a reliable starter. This position battle will be one of the most-watched storylines in camp.
The NFL certainly believes the Dolphins are ready for the spotlight. The 2025 schedule is loaded with five high-stakes prime-time games, including divisional showdowns against the Bills (Week 3) and Jets (Week 4), and tough matchups with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals. As if that wasn't enough, the team will make history in Week 11, playing the Washington Commanders in the NFL's first-ever game in Madrid, Spain. This schedule offers a massive platform but leaves no room for error.
Amidst the pressure, the Dolphins have secured key pieces for the future. The team exercised the fifth-year options on star receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Jaelan Phillips, locking them both in through the 2025 season. Phillips' return is particularly anticipated; after missing most of last season with a partially torn ACL, he's already being tabbed as a potential NFL Comeback Player of the Year. His health will be critical to the defense's success.
The off-season quiet is about to be shattered. On July 22, the Dolphins will report to training camp, and the real work will begin. From the development of rookies like Kenneth Grant to the crucial battle at tight end, the next few weeks will shape the identity of this team. The stakes are high, the schedule is tough, and the time to deliver is now.
