Editor’s note: This is Part 10 of 10 in Joe Schad’s Miami Dolphins summer series Q&A
MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins have not won a playoff game since December of 2000.
But in September they’ll begin a new era.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis all come to South Florida from Green Bay.
Miami hopes to build around running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks and a handful of youngsters like Kadyn Proctor, Kenneth Grant, Chris Johnson, Patrick Paul and Jacob Rodriguez.
Miami Dolphins Q&A series: 10 questions shaping 2026 answered by Joe Schad.
Part 10 of 10: Miami Dolphins’ 2026 Q&A with Joe Schad
The Question: In what year can the Dolphins compete for a Super Bowl?
The answer: The Dolphins’ plan should include a Super Bowl target season of 2029.
Miami’s plan should include AFC championship relevance in 2028 and playoff contention in 2027.
What is this based on? Well, lets look at the last 10 Super Bowls. You should be very encouraged by how quickly some of those Super Bowl participants turned it around.
The Patriots, 49ers, Eagles and Bengals all turned around losing records quite quickly.
Let’s say Miami finishes with a Top 5 pick in the next NFL Draft.
They can select a quarterback (if Malik Willis does not pan out) or trade the pick or select a wide receiver like Jeremiah Smith.
Miami will also have a ton of salary cap flexibility in 2027 and 2028.
And Miami has stockpiled many first- and second-year players and future draft picks.
We cannot guarantee that the Sullivan-Hafley era will result in Super Bowl contention in the next four years, but there is certainly a chance.
Take a look at some recent Super Bowl history:
2026: Seahawks over Patriots
Relevance: The Seahawks were 7-10 in 2021 and steadily improved to win a Super Bowl four years later. The Patriots were 4-13 in 2024 and incredibly reached the Super Bowl one year later.
2025: Eagles over Chiefs
Relevance: The Eagles were 4-11-1 in 2020 and won a Super Bowl four years later. The Chiefs were consistently dominant for a decade.
2024: Chiefs over 49ers
Relevance: The Chiefs were consistently dominant for a decade. The 49ers were 4-12 in 2018 and reached Super Bowls after one year and after five years.
2023: Chiefs over Eagles
Relevance: The Chiefs were consistently dominant for a decade. The Eagles were 4-11-1 in 2020 and reached the Super Bowl two years later.
2022: Rams over Bengals
Relevance: The Rams were 4-16 and 2016 and went to Super Bowls two years and five years later. The Bengals were 4-11-1 in 2020 and went to a Super Bowl one year later.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 10 of 10
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
