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Adversity Awaits: Will the Dolphins Rise or Regress in 2025?

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Dorian Sims | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 9:54 AM ET

Adversity Awaits: Will the Dolphins Rise or Regress in 2025?

As the Miami Dolphins prepare for the 2025 NFL season, adversity isn’t just a theme; it’s the reality. From stars on both sides of the ball recovering from injury to rookies stepping into high-pressure roles, this team faces more question marks than answers. But as history has shown, adversity can forge the strongest versions of a team if they respond the right way.

Starting with Jaelan Phillips. Once hailed as one of the NFL’s most promising young pass rushers, Phillips enters the final year of his rookie deal coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries. There’s no question about his motor, athleticism, or leadership. But talent only gets you so far in this league if you’re not available. If Phillips can stay healthy and produce, he not only earns a big payday, but he also helps stabilize a pass rush that will be critical to Miami’s success.

Lining up opposite him is Bradley Chubb, another key player under the microscope. Chubb hasn’t played since tearing his ACL on New Year’s Eve 2023. At 29 years old, with multiple injuries in his past, the pressure is on. However, Chubb has had ample recovery time and reportedly looked sharp at OTAs. If Miami can get even 80% of the Pro Bowl version of Chubb, the defense takes a major step forward.

On offense, all eyes are once again on Tua Tagovailoa. He’s only played one full season in his five years as a starter, and durability concerns still linger. His health isn’t just a storyline—it could be the defining factor of the Dolphins’ season. The offense thrives when Tua is healthy and operating in rhythm, but the leash is short, and expectations are sky-high.

Protection will be critical, which brings new additions, such as James Daniels and Patrick Paul, into focus. Daniels is recovering from a serious injury himself, but Miami needs him to be ready from Day One. Meanwhile, Paul, a rookie, will be tasked with helping fill the massive void left by Terron Armstead’s retirement. That’s no small ask.

The Dolphins are also betting big on another rookie, Jonah Savaiinaea, to shore up the interior of the offensive line. He’s also expected to be a Day One starter, and that will likely come with some growing pains. However, Miami doesn’t have the luxury of easing him in, especially with the need to start the season strong.

Defensively, the cornerback room faces an uphill battle. With key veterans gone and a largely unproven group behind them, they’ll need strong coaching and rapid development to hold their own in a loaded AFC.

And finally, that brings us to Mike McDaniel. Entering his fourth season, this is a make-or-break year. The savviness is there, but he must improve in several key areas if he hopes to remain an NFL head coach. That includes time management, establishing stronger discipline in the locker room, improving his abysmal challenge rate, and refining questionable personnel usage.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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