MIAMI GARDENS — Welcome to the latest season edition of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.
Q: I say stick with Ewers. … Hire Champ, stick with the group and grind out for 2027 … — @vasilithervos5687 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
If Dolphins owner Steve Ross sticks with rookie Quinn Ewers at quarterback and interim general manager Champ Kelly in the front office, it would surely mean coach Mike McDaniel returns as coach. That option is gaining steam recently, and rightfully so.
I still favor taking a broom to the Big 3 — GM, coach and QB — and starting over. It’s not personal, it’s business. Even some of the good vibes from the second half of this season raise more questions.
Why did it take so many years for the offense to find the stability of the run game?
Why can’t Miami, after four years, compete with playoff-caliber teams?
Why did it take so long to get the culture correct, if, in fact, it’s correct right now?
Who remains that played a major role in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s four-year, $212 million contract extension, and should their judgment be trusted?
Set those aside.
The fact remains McDaniel has stabilized the offense with the run game. He has apparently corrected the culture problem that was an issue previously. McDaniel, at this stage, has developed the rookie class. He has transitioned this team from a speedy, finesse group to a blue collar, grind-it-out crew that has some physicality. These players like and respect McDaniel. These players like and respect Kelly.
None of that can be ignored.
The big questions are why it took McDaniel so long to get to this point, and whether the Kelly-McDaniel administration could win a playoff game within two years.
Q: We need to set the bar higher – we need a new approach as we need to beat teams with winning records and McDaniel has just not shown an ability to do that. — @petermcdowell on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
I agree. Totally.
Q: QB options – Let Ewers start next year; sign Malik Willis for about 15 million a year; draft a rookie and let him and Ewers battle it out; start Ewers and wait until 27 to draft a QB — @PrettieBoi25 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
Quarterback remains a major question. Ewers is intriguing. So is Green Bay backup quarterback Malik Willis, the strong-armed, agile 26-year old who was a third-round selection by Tennessee in 2022. But I’m not yet convinced either would be ready to be a starter in 2026.
I’d bring in a veteran quarterback with starting experience (think Kirk Cousins, Andy Dalton, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley types, but not necessarily any of those three) to battle Ewers for the starting job in training camp.
I don’t like the first-round draft quarterback options for the Dolphins right now considering they’ll likely draft around No. 10 or 12, when the top two prospects are gone. I’d perhaps draft a quarterback in the third round, when the Dolphins have three selections. I don’t like drafting quarterbacks after the fourth round (yes, I’m aware Ewers is a seventh-round pick, as is San Francisco’s Brock Purdy, and the G.OA.T., Tom Brady, was a sixth-round pick).
I think if the Dolphins enter training camp with Ewers, a veteran quarterback with starting experience and a third-round draftee on their roster it shows optimism, due diligence, player development, a good fallback position and a look ahead as well as a chance for stability in 2026.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Will Ross retain McDaniel and Kelly? | VIDEO
Q: MVP goes to Brooks, solid season, stayed healthy. — @rking5826 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
Running back De’Von Achane is the MVP. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, the NFL leader in tackles (174) heading into the final week of the regular season as well as a key team leader on and off the field, has been a baller. He’s easily No. 2 in the MVP race.
Achane (1,350 yards rushing, No. 5 in the league) wins the award primarily because he’s made the run game work. And in the absence of wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and Tagovailoa (benched), that’s been more important.
Achane has made McDaniel a better play-caller, he’s made the offensive line more effective, and while freeing the offense from the shackles of the two-high safety pass defense he’s also been effective running the ball against the eight-man front.
Q: If I’m Tomlin or Harbaugh and I’m let go, I’m looking at the NY Giants before Miami — @trublazer on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
I hear you. But if I’m Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin or Baltimore coach John Harbaugh, whose jobs could both be in danger, I consider all the circumstances. It’s a tough call. Let’s take a very surface-level glance.
The outside forces — ownership, media, patience from fans — probably work in the Dolphins’ favor.
If you want publicity and a high-profile job, the Giants win.
With the Giants, you’re competing in the NFC East against Dallas (Dak Prescott at quarterback), Philadelphia (Jalen Hurts) and Washington (Jayden Daniels). With the Dolphins you’re competing against Buffalo (Josh Allen) and New England (Drake Maye), which works in the Dolphins’ favor.
If you want a quarterback (Giants’ Jaxson Dart vs. Dolphins’ player to be named later) and/or running back (Giants’ Cam Skatebo vs. Dolphins’ Achane) and/or wide receiver (Giants’ Malik Nabers vs. Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle), the Giants might get a slight edge. Perhaps.
Overall, the Dolphins job is still a fairly good job.
Q: Next year we should keep working towards a run-heavy team. Get more physical. Find OL for right side of line. Maulers — @NickBanghart on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
You’re right. I like this run-first offense more than the big-play passing offense of previous years. Of course, I liked last year’s dink-and-dunk offense more than the big-lay passing offense of previous years. McDaniel has done his best coaching, offensively and overall, in the second half of the past two seasons.
Hopefully, the Dolphins continue with a run-first offense in 2026, and hopefully they reinforce the offensive line.
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