Grading the Miami Dolphins’ Hiring of Jeff Hafley

This is also a franchise that just moved on from Mike McDaniel , a coach who maximized a limited quarterback situation and consistently kept Miami competitive despite structural flaws. The Dolphins now have a second straight coach dismissed after doing a lot with not enough. At some point, that stops being coincidence.

Which raises the biggest question: why not fix the quarterback instead?

Hafley doesn’t directly address Miami’s most glaring issue. He’s a defensive-minded coach stepping into a league where offensive innovation, quarterback development and schematic edge dictate success. Like many hires of this type, his fate will hinge almost entirely on his offensive staff — a risky proposition for a franchise already stuck in neutral.

This feels, frankly, like a Stephen Ross hire — measured, conservative and lacking a clear long-term vision. Not disastrous. Not inspiring. Just… there. For no reason other than making a change out of pure boredom.

Why fire McDaniel in the first place?

To be fair, Hafley isn’t a moron. He’s organized, respected and capable of growth. If he transitions smoothly to the head coaching role, hires the right offensive coordinator and establishes a coherent identity, this could rise to a B+ outcome. That path exists.

But right now, Miami remains dysfunctional at the top, unclear at quarterback and impatient by habit. That’s a difficult ecosystem for any first-time NFL head coach — especially one without prior pro head coaching reps.

This isn’t the kind of hire that resets a franchise. It’s the kind that buys time.

Final grade: C+

Room to grow. Plenty of questions. And once again, Dolphins fans are being asked to trust the process — even if the process itself still feels undefined.