NEW ERA BEGINS

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The Dolphins will be ushering in a new era of Dolphins football in 2026. The Dolphins raided Green Bay this offseason to find their new GM (John -Eric Sullivan), Coach (Jeff Hafley) and Quarterback (Malik Willis). And with the schedule released we can give a fair assessment on where I think the team is entering the season. 

The Dolphins schedule is not easy and they are one of five teams without a primetime game, which shows what the NFL thinks of them. The Dolphins will play three of their first four games on the road, against the Raiders, 49ers and Vikings. They’ll open up their home schedule by welcoming the Kansas City Chiefs and possibly Patrick Mahomes. From week 13-18 the Dolphins will play teams that made the playoffs last season, including the Bills and Patriots in divisional play, and a trip to Lambeau Field and a matchup with the Packers. In week 16 the Dolphins will welcome a familiar face back to Miami, as they’ll play former coach Mike McDaniel, who is now the Offensive coordinator of the LA Chargers. 

So, what would constitute a successful season for the new regime in Miami? Malik Willis, who will only be 27 when the season starts has to prove that he is the guy. The 2027 draft will be filled with big time Quarterback prospects, and if Willis struggles in his first season of a three year deal, fans will call for the team to draft a new Quarterback. And the Dolphins are still searching for a franchise Quarterback, that they haven’t had since Dan Marino. In December and January the Dolphins will play in Denver, Green Bay and New England all cold weather places. If the new regime wants to change a narrative, this is one, because this team just hasn’t played well in the cold in the past and it has bitten them. 

Official Prediction : The league gave them no favors with the schedule and they’ll have to play some of the best teams in the league, along with some of the best Quarterbacks in the league. I don’t think they’re a playoff team, but hopefully they can be competitive. But I don’t see this team gaining more than six wins at best in 2026, which could be a good start for the new regime.