Jeff Hafley Sees Dolphins’ Growth Despite Vikings Loss

Jeff Hafley Sees Dolphins’ Growth Despite Vikings Loss

The Miami Dolphins are still searching for their first win of the 2026 season, but head coach Jeff Hafley believes his young team is heading in the right direction.

After Miami’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Hafley expressed disappointment over another missed opportunity. At the same time, he praised the fight, physicality, and improvement he saw from his team in a game decided by the smallest of margins.

“We knew it was going to be a defensive battle,” Hafley said. “I thought our guys fought their butts off. I thought we were competitive. I thought we were physical. I thought we were tough.”

Miami kept the Vikings out of the end zone, but Hafley pointed to several plays that could have changed the outcome.

“Maybe one more stop, one more play on offense, clean up some things, some penalties that we need to look at,” Hafley said. “But just disappointing.”

Hafley Believes the Dolphins Are Getting Better

Despite the Dolphins’ 0-4 record, Hafley continues to emphasize improvement over immediate results with such a young roster.

Asked what Miami needs to do to take the next step, his answer was simple: practice.

Hafley said the Dolphins have many young players with little NFL experience and believes continued repetition is key. He called the week leading into Minnesota the team’s best practice week and felt that preparation carried over to the game.

The improvement was especially noticeable on defense.

Hafley said communication was the best it’s been this season, and Miami held Minnesota to 15 points despite having to spend significant time on the field.

“I expect improvement every week,” Hafley said.

That standard will continue. Hafley specifically mentioned penalties and technique issues as areas Miami must clean up before its next game.

Dolphins’ Defensive Front Shows Progress

Miami also showed more life up front.

Hafley felt the Dolphins were getting closer to generating consistent pressure a week ago, and against Minnesota, some of those near-misses began turning into successful plays.

He liked the energy from the defensive front early in the game but acknowledged the unit began to wear down late after so many snaps.

“We were close on a couple more,” Hafley said of Miami’s pressure on the quarterback.

For Hafley, that improvement comes back to one of his biggest themes since taking over the Dolphins: repetition and patience with young players learning a new scheme.

Jacob Rodriguez Continues to Impress

One of the biggest bright spots was rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who finished with 18 tackles and took another significant step as the leader of Miami’s defense.

Hafley was particularly impressed with Rodriguez’s communication.

He said the back-and-forth between the two during the game was “by far the best that it’s been,” allowing Hafley to make adjustments that Rodriguez then communicated to the rest of the defense.

A rookie handling that responsibility on the road in one of the NFL’s loudest environments impressed Miami’s head coach.

“He just keeps getting better and better,” Hafley said.

Hafley added that Rodriguez’s continued improvement doesn’t surprise him because of how seriously the rookie approaches his preparation.

Ollie Gordon Steps Up Without De’Von Achane

Sunday also offered the first look at Miami’s rushing attack without De’Von Achane, and Hafley left encouraged by what he saw from Ollie Gordon.

“I thought Ollie did a really nice job,” Hafley said. “I thought we were able to run the ball. We had some big runs, but I thought Ollie stepped up.”

Hafley acknowledged how much the Dolphins miss Achane but reiterated his confidence in Gordon, Jaylen Wright, and Carlos Washington Jr.

Hafley made a point to communicate that belief to the team before the game.

“I think this team is starting to believe,” Hafley said. “I think these losses are hard. I think we’re growing, I do. I know our process is right, and we’re going to continue to get better.”

Hafley also indicated Miami could continue riding the hot hand in the backfield. Gordon’s performance earned him opportunities, but Hafley expects other backs to receive more touches as the offense generates more plays.

One thing isn’t changing: Hafley wants Miami to run the football.

“We believe we can run the ball on people,” he said.