Building Bonds: Why the 2025 Dolphins Feel Different

Building Bonds: Why the 2025 Dolphins Feel Different

The Miami Dolphins enter the 2025 season with hope that they are building genuine camaraderie. From the outside looking in, it’s hard to measure—especially since we just got through preseason and are in final cut week. But ask anyone in the building, and they’ll tell you—this team feels different.

Several players were recently asked what separates this year’s squad from those of the past. The common thread in their answers wasn’t talent or scheme—it was chemistry. There’s a sense of happiness and mutual respect throughout the roster. Players speak highly of each other, but it’s not empty praise—they’re also quick to emphasize accountability. That balance of support and expectation has created a standard, and according to team leaders, everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, one of Miami’s key leaders, summed it up perfectly: “This is the closest group I’ve been a part of in my NFL career.” That may not sound like much on its own, but for a league built on parity and pressure, the ability to bond early and genuinely could pay dividends when adversity inevitably strikes.

The Dolphins aren’t just leaning on their star players to set the tone—they’re reinforcing that culture with familiar faces. The recent waiver claims of offensive tackle Kendall Lamm and running back Jeff Wilson were more than just depth moves. Both players have a history with the team, understand the system, and have consistently delivered when their number is called. Bringing back trusted veterans like Lamm and Wilson isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s about fortifying a locker room identity and giving younger players examples of professionalism to emulate.

All of this speaks to a franchise determined to do more than just stack talent. They’re trying to build something sustainable—an environment where trust and accountability go hand in hand. Head coach Mike McDaniel has often preached the importance of connection as a competitive advantage, and so far, the Dolphins seem to be living that mantra without forcing it.

Of course, as promising as it sounds, cohesion alone doesn’t guarantee wins in December or January. The real test will come when the schedule tightens, injuries pile up, and pressure mounts. Will this foundation hold when adversity hits repeatedly?

For now, the Dolphins are focused on building, not boasting. And while culture doesn’t count on the scoreboard, it often shows up in the details that separate good teams from great ones. On paper, this team looks united. Soon enough, we’ll see if that unity can translate into the kind of success Dolphins fans have been waiting for.