Editor’s note: This is Part 5 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 such as Kadyn Proctor, Kenneth Grant, Chris Johnson, Patrick Paul and Jacob Rodriguez.
For now, there are far more questions than answers. But our Joe Schad hopes to set the table for the rebuild with 10 questions that will define the 2026 Dolphins season.
Part 5 of 10: Miami Dolphins’ 2026 Q&A with Joe Schad
The Question: What are three most interesting games on the Dolphins’ schedule?
Falcons at Dolphins, Preseason Game 3, August 28, 2026
Why to watch: This is the final preseason game of the season. It’s unfortunate that the Dolphins and Falcons are not expect to conduct a joint practice or practices in Miami. There is no guarantee Tua Tagovailoa will play in this game at Hard Rock Stadium, but it would seem likely. If Tua is the likely starter for the Falcons, over Michael Penix, Jr., you would think he’ll want to take some snaps in the preseason finale. Tua has done that in the recent past with Miami.
Will Dolphins fans cheer or boo Tua? It will probably be a mixture, leaning toward boos, in our opinion. Even it it’s just a quarter or a half, it will be interesting to see how Tua and Malik Willis perform for Atlanta and Miami, respectively. Do Dolphins fans wish Tua well and hope he can lead Atlanta to great success? Most would probably say no, in my opinion. Would that be painful? Probably.
Dolphins at Packers, December 20, 2026
Why to watch: How will the Dolphins play in the cold in Green Bay under the leadership of first-year head coach and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley? How will former Packers quarterback Malik Willis play in his return to Lambeau Field? The Packers will be a significant favorite in this game. What Dolphins fans will want to see is a respectable effort.
Is there physicality? It there toughness? Is their effort? Former Dolphins running back Chris Brooks has played the last three seasons with Green Bay. The last time Miami played at Green Bay, Miami linebacker Jordyn Brooks cited a “soft” effort. Hafley is determined to make sure Miami does not emerge from this game perceived as “soft.”
Chargers at Dolphins, December 27, 2026
Why to watch: Will Mike McDaniel spoil the holiday season for Dolphins fans? Will McDaniel turn Justin Herbert into John Elway? Will former Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold score a touchdown? Will Jim Harbaugh and McDaniel run it up on the Dolphins if they get the chance? Harbaugh has a good relationship with Miami owner Stephen Ross. But so does John Harbaugh and he once stuck it to Miami when he could have called off the horses.
Would Dolphins fans cheer or boo McDaniel if and when he were shown on the big screen? Probably a mix. McDaniel was a fairly popular figure but Miami fans are a frustrated bunch, understandably, with no playoff appearances in the past two seasons and no playoff wins this century. Will Hafley blitz the heck out of McDaniel’s quarterback, Herbert? Should be interesting.
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 5 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
