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Finding QB1 is the First Goal for Hafley

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Jackson Buhler | Last updated Jan 20, 2026 6:51 PM ET

Finding QB1 is the First Goal for Hafley

Jeff Hafley is now the man in charge in Miami.

Like every Dolphins coach this century besides Dave Wannstedt, Hafley is a first-time head coach, which means he will need to learn how to properly manage both sides of the ball.

He will need to learn clock management, game management, and how to control the egos of his players.

Hafley will also need to hire a strong staff around him, which will probably include some old-school veteran coaches to help in his first year.

But, above all, Hafley will need to do something that no coach since this century has done in Miami.

Find a franchise quarterback.

Many coaches have tried in Miami, and they have all failed all the same.

There was the promise of Chad Henne.

And then Pat White.

Ryan Tannehill was next.

Also, Tua Tagovailoa was supposed to get the franchise back to the promise land.

Yet, it is all the same result.

Ultimately, a failure.

Jeremey Fowler on Malik Willis Possibly to Miami: “No regime will know Willis’ strengths better than Miami, which just hired a brain trust of GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley from Green Bay. The Packers valued Willis’ development and Miami could bear the fruits of…

— DolphinsTalk.com (@DolphinsTalk) January 20, 2026

For as good as Hafley should be right away on defense, if he can’t find a quarterback, he will ultimately fail, too.

Luckily, he can look to the franchise he just left for some inspiration.

Green Bay had the foresight to see what Jordan Love could do.

They had the same aspiration as Aaron Rodgers.

With Jon-Eric Sullivan entrenched as the new Dolphins general manager, Miami should have the same philosophy as those Packers teams when it comes to finding the next face of the franchise.

They should scour the draft.

However, it does not have to come in the first round.

If their top guy is not there at pick number 11, do not reach.

That is how so many other Dolphins eras have failed previously.

They took the quarterback but did not have the necessary support around him.

I do not think that will be the case with Hafley.

He and Sullivan will build properly from the inside out to make the Dolphins a tough, physical team on the line of scrimmage, as well as adding playmakers on the outside to support Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane.

Then, once the team is fully built up, the new duo in charge can take the quarterback they want.

I have faith in Hafley to select the right guy.

After all, in Green Bay, they have selected the right guy three times in a row.

And in turn, they have been playing in January consistently over the last 30 years.

That is what hopefully Hafley being in Miami can eventually lead to.

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

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