Miami Dolphins Q&A: 10 Questions That Will Define 2026, Part 1 of 10
Article excerpt
As the Miami Dolphins prepare for 2026, Yahoo Sports poses ten questions that will shape the season's narrative. The first installment, answered by Joe Schad, tackles the fundamental question: How many wins are realistic for this team? The series examines the roster's composition, coaching direction, and realistic expectations as the organization works toward playoff contention. Schad breaks down the variables, injury risk, quarterback performance, schedule strength, that will determine whether Miami can build on recent progress or faces a step backward.
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.
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 1 of 10: Miami Dolphins' 2026 Q&A with Joe Schad
The Question: How many Dolphins wins is realistic in 2026?
The Answer: In 2019, the Dolphins exceeded expectations in a rebuild season under Brian Flores by winning five games. That should be Miami's target for Jeff Hafley's first season ― five wins.
The over/under for most of this offseason for Miami has been 4.5 wins. So 5-12 is an over-performance. It also matches the way-too-early prediction we made on the day Miami's schedule was released.
The Dolphins have one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL in 2026. They will also have one of the NFL's youngest team. That's a less-than-ideal match.
We predicted Miami to defeat the: Raiders, Jets, Colts, Jets and Bears. In this scenario, Miami would start the season 2-4 and 5-8 before losing the final four games to finish 5-12.
Nobody should judge Sullivan, Hafley, Willis or the Dolphins by their win-loss record in 2026. Would 6-11 or 7-10 be outstanding? Well, yeah, sure. Would 3-14 or 4-13 be disastrous? Nope.
As long as Miami plays hard and demonstrates young player development, 2026 is a win.
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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: 10 Questions That Will Define the Dolphins’ Season: Summer Q&A Series