Fans may think so. Analysts may think so. Opposing players may even think so.
But Jeff Hafley doesn’t think 2026 is going to be a rebuilding year for the Dolphins.
Ahead of the Dolphins’ second full day of training camp Thursday, Miami’s new head coach expressed confidence that the team will be competitive this season even though many think otherwise.
“I don’t know how you can have a conversation with a competitive player or a competitive coach and have it sit right with them where we’re just going to say, ‘We’re just going to rebuild this year,’” Hafley told reporters. “I mean, that’s just not the mentality of any competitor who’s made it to this level or any coach that’s made it to this level. Whether it’s practice or whether it’s a drill. I think we all want to win. And our mindset is we need to get better.”
Though the Dolphins were semi-competitive late in 2025 and finished 7-10, they got rid of players like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa, indicating the new regime wants to start fresh.
Over half the Dolphins’ salary cap this year will be allotted to players not on the team anymore, including $54 million going to former quarterback Tagovailoa.
New general manager Jon Eric-Sullivan has emphasized the trenches this offseason, drafting former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor in the first round and extending center Aaron Brewer.
The Dolphins also brought in former Titans and Packers quarterback Mailk Willis to replace Tagovailoa, though his supporting cast in many people’s eyes is among the worst in football.
While the Dolphins new regime said it’ll take time to become the perennial winner they aspire to be, they’re still going to compete in 2026.
“Everything we do is going to be about competing to get better throughout the process, and we want to win,” Hafley said. “So I just don’t think any player or any coach is going to sit here and say ‘I’m just going to throw in the towel and just rebuild.’ That’s probably why no one’s hearing that. I think if you had a group of players saying that, then I think we’ve got the wrong players.”
