“Coach McDaniel told me the team is reviewing all options. I said, if there’s truly a place where I can help turn things around and win — then I’m open. But if not, I’m staying in Miami, the city that backed me, and I’ll do everything I can to earn it.”
That candid quote from a Dolphins starter captures the uneasy mood in Miami, where a once-promising season has quickly unraveled. Sitting at 1–5 to start the 2025 campaign, the Dolphins are facing mounting pressure both on and off the field — and the front office may soon have no choice but to consider major roster changes ahead of the
November 4 trade deadline.
From Contender to Crisis
Just one year ago, the Dolphins were hailed as one of the NFL’s most explosive teams — a blend of speed, creativity, and swagger under
head coach Mike McDaniel. But six weeks into this season, those strengths have been overshadowed by inconsistency, defensive lapses, and a growing sense that something’s broken.
Injuries have played a role, but execution and leadership are also under scrutiny. As one AFC executive told
Sports Illustrated, “They’ve got the talent, but the chemistry looks off. When a roster like that starts losing, people around the league start calling.”
And those calls have reportedly already begun.
Star Names Circulating in Trade Talks
According to reports from CBS Sports and SI, several high-profile Dolphins players — including wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and pass rushers Bradley Chubb
and Jaelan Phillips — have surfaced in preliminary trade discussions. While Coach McDaniel publicly dismissed the rumors as “baseless,” insiders say the Dolphins’ front office is at least listening.
GM Chris Grier is said to be evaluating all scenarios, from soft roster resets to potential blockbuster trades, depending on how the next two weeks unfold. If the Dolphins continue to slide, moving one or two key veterans could free up cap space and stockpile draft capital for a rebuild around franchise quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa.
“It’s not about blowing it up,” one league source told CBS Sports. “It’s about being smart if the season keeps slipping away.”
A Locker Room Searching for Answers
Inside the locker room, players are trying to block out the noise — but the tension is real. The anonymous player’s quote reflects both frustration and commitment: a willingness to do whatever it takes to win, whether that means staying the course in Miami or accepting a fresh start elsewhere.
Veteran leaders have emphasized unity, while McDaniel has doubled down on accountability, telling reporters this week, “We’re not selling — we’re solving.” Still, with the trade deadline looming and playoff hopes fading fast, the Dolphins’ next few games could determine whether that message holds.
The Road Ahead
For now, Miami remains a team at a crossroads — too talented to quit, but too flawed to ignore its issues. If the slide continues, expect the trade market to heat up quickly, with contending teams circling for bargains.
Whether it’s Waddle, Chubb, or another name on the move, one thing’s certain: the clock is ticking in South Beach, and the Dolphins must decide whether to double down on their core — or cash in before it’s too late.
Either way, the message from inside the locker room is clear: “We’re not done fighting yet.”
