The Miami Dolphins’ first preseason game of 2025 ended in a 24-24 tie with the Chicago Bears. While that’s an unsatisfying end to most games, the final result Sunday didn’t matter nearly as much as the performances of players fighting for spots on the Dolphins’ roster.
Most of Miami’s starting lineup got snaps early in the matchup, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who played one drive before ceding the reins of the offense to Zach Wilson.
So who stood out most, who struggled to make a mark, and what can the Dolphins take away from their preseason opener? Here are xx things to note about the 24-24 result:
The Washingtons look to be real factors at receiver
With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle out of action, there were plenty of reps to be had for every other receiver jockeying for position on the depth chart. But after the preseason opener, it seems there’s a clear top five who are a tier ahead of the rest.
Malik Washington caught Tua Tagovailoa’s first four passes of the game and got involved in the run game too with an end-around that picked up 6 yards.
Tahj Washington, a 2024 seventh-round pick who spent his entire rookie year on injured reserve, may have been even more impressive with three receptions for a team-leading 53 yards.
The fifth player in the mix, free agent signee Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, caught only one pass Sunday but turned it into a 35-yard gain, the biggest play of the day for Miami.
It’s possible a sixth receiver could earn a spot, but it seems likelier that Hill, Waddle, Westbrook-Ikhine, Washington, and Washington will be the Dolphins’ corps at the position in 2025.
The backup quarterbacks struggled
Neither Zach Wilson nor Quinn Ewers had a day to remember.
Wilson completed five of his nine passes, but didn’t get the ball out of his hands quickly and skipped a pass to tight end Tanner Conner that should’ve been an easy touchdown.
Ewers was much worse. The rookie completed only five of his 18 passes and fumbled twice.
The Dolphins front seven gave the Bears fits
It wasn’t until the second quarter that Chicago got its first first down of the day against the Dolphins. While the caveat is that the Bears kept most of their starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, out of action, the Dolphins defense did everything a fan could’ve hoped for on the defensive side of the ball early.
The Bears went three-and-out on their first two drives and quarterback Tyson Bagent was harassed by Dolphins defenders, including linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and defensive lineman Benito Jones, who split a first quarter sack.
Dolphins special teams looked, well, special
Craig Aukerman’s first impression as the Dolphins’ new special teams coordinator was a good one.
It didn’t matter who was back to return, there were lanes available and Miami was consistently set up in good field position.
Jake Bailey isn’t giving up his job without a fight
While the Dolphins added Ryan Stonehouse to compete for the punting job, Bailey won round one of the preseason battle.
Bailey’s only punt of the day was a 59-yarder that landed inside the 10-yard line and was returned 9 yards. Stonehouse’s was a 50-yarder with plenty of hang time that was also returned 9 yards.
It’ll be hard to cut any running back
De’Von Achane looked elusive and shifty as ever, Alexander Mattison was a bruising change of pace, and Ollie Gordon II made the most of his preseason debut. While Jaylen Wright was the least impressive of the group Sunday, he still slithered through the Bears defense for a 7-yard touchdown.
The Dolphins may not have much of a choice but to keep the entire quartet on their final 53-man roster at the end of the month.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 6 takeaways from the Dolphins’ 24-24 preseason tie with the Bears
Reporting by Adam Stites, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
