What I’ll Be Watching Closely In 2026

What I’ll Be Watching Closely In 2026

The Miami Dolphins are not going to win the Super Bowl in 2026. I don’t believe that’s a particularly hot take, but it is a reality that we’ve all accepted heading into the season.

Furthermore, I highly doubt that the Dolphins will compete for a playoff spot or even have a winning record. 

For a fanbase that has suffered through more than two decades without a playoff win, that can be disappointing, but it is important that we go into 2026 with zero expectations of success. Though if you’re anything like me, and if you’re reading a Dolphins article at the end of May, I assume you are, you are fully addicted to Dolphins football. As such, you’re looking for any reason to tune into what is otherwise going to be a fairly forgettable season. Allow me to share with you what I’m watching closely this year. 

Will De’Von Achane Continue His Growth? 

It’s clear that Achane is the best player on the Dolphins roster heading into the season. He’s coming off a career year where he amassed 1,350 yards on the ground while adding another 488 in the receiving game. He totaled 12 touchdowns and emerged as one of the best playmaking running backs in the NFL. 

The biggest question surrounding Achane heading into 2026 was whether he was going to be able to get an extension before the season began. That question was answered last week when the Dolphins signed him to a 4-year, $64 million extension. The deal makes him the third-highest-paid back in the league. It proves that Miami is committed to building around Achane, and now it is on him to live up to the new deal. 

Is Malik Willis the Answer at Quarterback? 

Being a Dolphins fan means putting your hopes into the most random signal callers. From Gus Frerotte to John Beck, to Chad Henne, and many more. It feels like a never-ending string of disappointment. Over the past few seasons, many of us have slowly lost faith in Tua Tagovailoa. Ultimately, the Tua experiment ended the same way as so many others. 

However, we have another quarterback to put our hopes into in 2026. Malik Willis was Jordan Love’s backup for the past two seasons in Green Bay and filled in admirably when called upon. Now he will have a chance to prove that he belongs as a starter in the league, and was worth the 3rd round pick the Tennessee Titans spent on him back in 2022. I’m entering the season with nothing but faith in Willis. To quote Michael Scott from the office, “I am ready to get hurt again.” 

Even during seasons that are likely lost before they even begin, there are reasons to tune in. I’m going to try to just enjoy the season for what it is, and enter it with low expectations. That doesn’t mean that I won’t have certain criticisms when things go wrong, of course. What are you most looking forward to next season? Let me know in the comments.

You can follow me on YouTube @WickedGoodEverything and X @TheFakeBMarr