We are going to see if a lot if this new direction works quickly...

[Downunder Dolphan]

This is a bold and brash new direction, and it will either work, or it won't. We will find out real quick too.

QB. Enough said.

The OL. A big roll of the dice. If it does work, this is our offensive wall solved moving forward. Otherwise, it's still a work in progress, and we can't move ahead.

They have flagged guys that failed to develop last season as well, and are taking a last shot in their system; Marshall, Savaiinaea... they are going to thrive or fail in their college positions before they were drafted.

[Pappy13]

I don't know, don't expect it to work right away. We are going to be bad for most of the year even if a lot of the decisions work out in the long run and I expect the Dolphins to be especially bad the first 1/4 to 1/2 of the year regardless. I don't think we will really know how this regime is going to work out for at least 1/2 the season next year. There had better be some marked improvement in the last half of next year or I'm going to be very worried that this was all a big mistake. If the progress is tangible the 2nd half of the year, then I'll feel like maybe these guys are onto to something, but otherwise I won't be convinced. Everyone just seems to be assuming the best right now in my opinion, it could all go horribly wrong still or it could be that we just make it back to where we were in a year or 2 and really nothing at all has changed.

[Sibster]

It all comes down to if the trenches gel after the baptism by fire they are going to get in the first half of the year.   If they do, watch out for 2027 when the Dolphins are sure to land a big time QB.   The 2027 QB class includes Arch Manning, Brendan Sorsby, Dante Moore and Julian Sayin.

[Dave Gray]

I think just the opposite.  I think we are going to be biblically bad for the next year, probably two -- no matter what.

We have a ton of cap money spent on people no longer on the team and there's just no way to make that up.

We are going to be starting practice squad guys at key positions, I think.  We just don't have money to sign players.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Not only does the Dolphins lead the league in dead money for 2026, they lead the league in dead money for 2027.  Per over the cap they have ~$57 million in dead money for 2027. Which is more than all but 6 teams have for 2026.     

[masterfins]

I think just the opposite.  I think we are going to be biblically bad for the next year, probably two -- no matter what.

We have a ton of cap money spent on people no longer on the team and there's just no way to make that up.

We are going to be starting practice squad guys at key positions, I think.  We just don't have money to sign players.

+1

[Spider-Dan]

Not only does the Dolphins lead the league in dead money for 2026, they lead the league in dead money for 2027.  Per over the cap they have ~$57 million in dead money for 2027. Which is more than all but 6 teams have for 2026.

DEN led the league in dead money for 2024.
SF led the league in dead money for 2025.
Both teams made the playoffs in those years.

[Sibster]

DEN led the league in dead money for 2024.
SF led the league in dead money for 2025.
Both teams made the playoffs in those years.

And both of those teams have highly competent GMs and front office staff to absorb the dead money hits.   The Dolphins did not for a number of years and this regime is brand new so the jury is out.  Still, I am skeptical of them reaching for an O-Lineman whose game has flaws when they could've gotten the best pass rusher in college football in 2025 right out of their own backyard.

[CF DolFan]

I like what they have done/are doing but I have no expectations of them being very good this year. I'll have to see where we are prior to next season to guess that but I agree it does not look good right now. 

The 2026 season has 180 million and accounts for 60% of their 301.2 million salary cap. That is historically awful. By comparison the 2024 Denver Broncos were only at about 33% in dead money after dumping Russell Wilson. 

[Spider-Dan]

And both of those teams have highly competent GMs and front office staff to absorb the dead money hits.

So maybe it's not about how much dead money you have, but rather whether you have competent management.

[Sibster]

So maybe it's not about how much dead money you have, but rather whether you have competent management.

It is definitely a huge factor.  There's a reason why certain teams are making the playoffs year in and year out despite every effort by the league to establish parity.   Those teams GM's do an excellent job evaluating talent, managing the salary cap, knowing when to lock a player in to a long term deal, and knowing when to cut a player loose.   

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

DEN led the league in dead money for 2024.
SF led the league in dead money for 2025.
Both teams made the playoffs in those years.

Saints not SF lead the league in dead money in 2025.  

Miami has over half of its salary cap tied up in players not on the team.  Typically for the worst team that is about a third.