The AFC East is looking like a division on the rise this year. With the Jets’ addition of Aaron Rodgers, it could turn into an all-out battle for first place. The Miami Dolphins are in that race against the Buffalo Bills as well, but former Patriots star Julian Edelman isn’t fully sold on them this year.
Joining Travis and Jason Kelce on the New Heights podcast this week, Edelman said he “could see” Miami losing momentum like they did last season after a 3-0 start.
“I could see Miami taking a step back,” Edelman said. “I don’t know if it was a fluke, but you know, December and November football’s different, it’s different.”
Although he doesn’t describe what it is exactly that he thinks will hold the Dolphins back, Edelman doesn’t think Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and the rest of the arsenal can live up to the “hype.”
“I see them taking a step back because they have so much hype around them,” Edelman added. “There’s like always that one team where they’re supposed to be good and something like, what is it, 40% of the teams that made the playoffs last year aren’t going to make the playoffs this year.”
Buffalo ran away with the divisional title in the regular season and still, the Dolphins gave them trouble in the playoffs. They finished three points behind in the wildcard round after letting the Bills get out to an early 17-0 lead.
This offseason, Miami wasn’t afraid to spend to add where they needed the most help. They re-signed running back Raheem Mostert for two years and $5.6 million and traded for cornerback Jalen Ramsey for three years, $55 million.
Tagovailoa: Dolphins ‘definitely legit contenders’
The Dolphins also exercised the fifth-year option for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at $23.17 million. The move shows the team’s and Mike McDaniels’ faith in the former Alabama star after he missed four games due to concussions.
Coming off a 9-8 season and the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2016, Tagovailoa believes his Dolphins are “legit contenders” heading into 2023.
“I think we’re definitely legit contenders,” Tagovailoa told Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “There’s no doubt with the guys we have on the defensive side of the ball. With the guys we have on the offensive side of the ball. And now with this being the first time as an offense, we get to come back understanding the plays already kind of molded into the offense a little more, I think. I think it can get very, very scary, pretty dangerous.”
Amid the head injuries, Tagovailoa turned out a productive 2022 campaign. In 13 games, Tagovailoa threw for 3,548 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 64.8% passing. He set career highs with a 105.5 passer rating and a 68.9 QBR.
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