On December 11, 2023, the last Miami Dolphins regime reached its apex.
And then it all collapsed.
On December 11, 2023, the Dolphins were 9-3 and leading the Titans in a home Monday Night Football game 27-13 with three minutes to play.
And then it all collapsed.
Miami lost the game, they lost their mojo and Tua (Tagovailoa)-Tyreek (Hill)-(Mike) McDaniel were never the same.
It was the beginning of the end for (Chris) Grier and Co., even if they couldn’t know it at the moment.
Oh, there were some smoke and mirrors along the way, but it was at that moment that the great-next-dramatic-rebuild should have been foreshadowed.
“It’s one loss,” Tua said after that game.
But it wasn’t. That moment led to this moment.
That moment led them back to, oh, let’s say, the Tank-For-Tua moment of 2019, when Miami moved on from Ryan Tannehill, Laremy Tunsil, Robert Quinn, Cameron Wake, Ja’Wuan James and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Miami Dolphins roster cuts include Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb
Recently, the Dolphins let go the next wave from a go-for-it era: Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, (James Daniels and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, too), with Tua Tagovailoa and others sure to follow.
March for Arch (Manning)? Don’t say it too loud.
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley will not tank. They want to instill a new culture based on toughness, discipline and effort.
Miami’s dramatic roster reset (hey, if they lose 13 games in 2026, they lose 13 games) will be an organic and strategic move focused on youth and the NFL draft. And if they land Arch Manning (wouldn’t Quinn Ewers love that!?!) it’s quite an appealing benefit, isn’t it?
It’s hard to believe that in December of 2023, these were some of the Dolphins on their roster: Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, Connor Williams, Robert Hunt, Christian Wilkins, David Long, Andrew Van Ginkel, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard.
My goodness. How did that team collapse? (Yes, injuries, as always, played a factor.)
The Dolphins of 2026 should focus on first- and second-year players.
If you’re over 30, sorry, not welcome into the club at this time.
The Dolphins’ roster is incredibly thin at the moment, with shades of 2019.
Of course Miami could choose to build around Patrick Paul, De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle. But would Sullivan have a responsibility to at least take calls on any rostered player?
Yes.
The Dolphins’ No. 2 edge rusher at the moment is Derrick McLendon, who has one NFL game played.
The Dolphins’ top guards at the moment are Jonah Savaiinaea and Kion Smith.
The Dolphins No. 2 and No. 3 receivers at the moment are Malik and Tahj Washington (no relation).
The top tight end is Cole Turner. And no offense to Cole Turner, but respectfully, I am not familiar with your game.
And here is a bit of consolation for owner Stephen Ross, if he’s worried about the effects of Dramatic-Rebuild-II in the minds and hearts of fans.
They support it.
Miami Dolphins fans support dramatic roster rebuild II
Miami fans tell me they are happy about the plan. And they are realistic about results for the 2026 season.
In a highly-unofficial poll conducted on X, 89 percent of respondents say they are “very happy” or “happy” with the Dolphins’ “dramatic rebuild/big-name cuts/youth movement.”
Only 11 percent of fans said they are “unhappy” or “very unhappy” with the plan.
In a separate, also highly-unofficial poll, fans expressed realistic expectations for the season.
About 89 percent of fans expect Miami to finish 6-11, 5-12, 4-13 or worse.
Only 11 percent of fans expect 7-10, 8-9, 9-8 or better.
Kudos, Dolphins fans.
Eighty-nine percent of you get it.
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: Savvy Miami Dolphins fans smartly embrace another tear down | Schad
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
