'They're the most excited practice players of all time right now' - Mike McDaniel offers a major update on returning stars for the Miami Dolphins

The long wait may soon be over for Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier, and the rest of the Miami Dolphins braintrust. Despite the Dolphins’ statistically impressive defensive season in 2024, Miami played most of the season with one hand tied behind its back. You see, edge defenders Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips played a combined 134 snaps last season.

Those are two of the biggest stars Miami has to offer on defense. Chubb, a former top draft choice, was dominant before a knee injury in Week 17 of 2023 shut him down and cost him all of 2024. Phillips made the grueling rehab from his 2023 torn Achilles bend to his will, only to be taken out by an errant Jordan Poyer tackle attempt in the fourth game of the season.

Mike McDaniels’ first session with the media for this week's Organized Team Activities (OTAs) offers a promising update that Miami, for the first time in nearly two years, is poised to be at full strength in their edge room.

“Both (Chubb and Phillips) have basically made their off-season an in-season with how they approach their work. As a result, they're both able to really participate in most things, most days, being cautious and using the science on their recovery,” said McDaniel. “So some days, (depending) on what day you're out there, you'll probably see one, if not both…but very happy with where they're at, and know that they're as excited as ever. I mean, they're the most excited practice players of all time right now.”

That sound you hear is the sigh of relief from every Miami Dolphins fan on the face of the planet. Miami has invested significant resources in both Chubb and Phillips in the form of recent draft capital and finances. And yet the Dolphins haven’t seen the two on the field together since Black Friday of 2023.

Given some of the departures (and pending departures) in the Miami secondary this offseason, getting a fully loaded front to disrupt opposing quarterbacks is going to be a key piece of the puzzle for how Miami competes throughout 2025. And with the two most excited practice players of all time back in the fray, the Dolphins have hope that their recipe for success has the necessary ingredients to get the job done.