The season is nearly over, this is the next to the last week of the NFL season, especially for us Miami Dolphins fans, because we won’t be participating in the playoffs this season. Yes, it was another disappointing season for us Dolphins fans. So any things remain up in the air for this franchise, but one decision was made, and whether it was permanent or temporary, I was thrilled that QB Tua Tagovailoa was benched last week. I had absolutely seen enough from Tua over his career to know with certainty that he’s not it. He can be a complementary player and if the team is built such that everything can function whether the QB plays at his best or not, and the offense doesn’t rely on the QB carrying the team, he can win in such a situation. It’s actually what I want to build here. I want a team that the roster is constructed properly and won’t rely too much on any one player. Every roster needs great players, but a great team needs a lot more solid players too, ones that can get the job done with or without a great player too.
This weekend’s game against the Bucs means nothing for us except if we win we draft a little further back and if we lose, we may move a spot or 2. I firmly believe that this team’s wins or losses should have zero effect as to whether HC Mike McDaniel stays or goes. I don’t see any reason to for him to return, and therefore interim GM Champ Kelly should also go. The plan should be to hire a GM and allow that GM to build his team as he pleases. The GM will hire a HC who will then fill out the staff of assistant coaches and then together, these 2 will talk and form a plan of how they want to build the roster, with the GM always having final say on those things. The HC will obviously have input, but in order for there to be proper accountability, you have to have one guy having final say.
Sunday will be Quinn Ewers second week of practices with the ones, and also his second start, but the visiting Buccaneers are still fighting for a playoff spot, so this won’t be an easy test for Quinn. While the Bucs defense has hardly been swashbuckling opponents, you can expect them to be a little more dialed in in their quest to remain in the NFC playoff race. 6 Playoff spots have been clinched, so 2 remain, and there are 4 teams fighting for those 2 spots, the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs play us and the season finale is against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Florida. In order for that game to mean anything though, the Bucs must first beat our Miami Dolphins.
I have no idea what the plan is for our Dolphins, but honestly, how could having Quinn Ewers playing against a playoff contending team like the Bucs with QB Baker Mayfield at the helm have any effect on whether Head Coach mike Mike McDaniel returns next season? That decision has to have been made by now, am I wrong? You all know I wanted Quinn Ewers to get some starts and I’m thankful he is getting 3, but I would have liked to have seen him get more. It’s not that I believe he can be a franchise QB, he might, but you have to know at the very least if he’s a capable backup QB. I don’t know who was responsible for that oversight in 2024, but ultimately, the GM should be responsible, and he was the first to go. I think we should draft a QB in 2025, but I don’t believe we have to trade up to get the best QB at #1, Fernando Mendoza, but I do think he would be an absolute great fit for the city of Miami.
I hope that this week Mike McDaniel doesn’t lean too hard on #28 RB De’Von Achane, there’s no need to burn him out and get him injured. He will be a valuable asset to the team whether he’s playing for us, or if he’s traded to move up in the draft. Let Jaylen Wright get a bunch of carries and let Ollie Gordon get some too, the “W” isn’t as important as evaluating other players. If we do decide to trade Achane, it would be nice to know if Wright can be a #1 or at least #1A. Randy was talking about every player on the roster as an asset and I agree at this time. This team is going to get rebuilt (hopefully!), and I couldn’t agree more with Randy that you have to think of these players not only now, but 3 years down the line too. Jordyn Brooks’ value may never be higher, but he’s young enough at 28 to still be a valuable part of this defense for at least 3 years, so there’s no need to move on from him. If we do indeed hire a new GM (Hallelujah!), he will have to go over every player, every unit, and plan ahead for not only the 2026 season but years beyond. Obviously, 2026 will be a struggle with the cap, so free agency will have to be guys to fill out the roster and no large expenditures because the money simply won’t be available.
Has QB Tua Tagovailoa actually played his last game here? We’ve seen other organizations absorb the cap hit and then go on a season later and become contenders like the Denver Broncos. We’ve also seen teams do it like the LV Raiders and then wallow in misery. Let’s be honest, we need to not only find the right Executive to be our new GM but most importantly, that GM needs to identify a Head Coach who is capable of winning in the NFL, not with gimmicks, but being able to use his personnel in a fashion that is sustainable against any and every opponent, andy weather situation, and any big game, and also a Head Coach that is capable of making adjustments when the opponent takes away some of the things that gave you success. That’s how the Broncos turned it around so quickly. The GM drafted very well, and as even Stephen Ross understood, Sean Payton is a darn good Head Coach. I have these pipe dreams that we can do all of these things, but I also understand as a lifelong Miami Dolphins Fan that we might actually do none of these things, and we could very well have interim GM Champ Kelly do the drafting for Head Coach Mike McDaniel and Tua could be our starting QB next season. As I’ve pointed out before, that would just be the laziest, most inexcusable path to take and if you think the fanbase is angry now, go ahead and pull that shit and see a whole lot more opposing team’s jersey in the stands next season! Let’s hope we do it right . . .
GO DOLPHINS!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
That video by Crabs points out some crazy incentives and even crazier thresholds that the team / players have to make to reach those incentives.
Tyrel Dodson can make a million more this year if ANYONE on the team gets two interceptions in the final game. (Miami just has to improve their interceptions by two more this year) That’s crazy. He can sit and still get paid a million more $.
Hey MF-13 do a brother a solid and let us know where PFF says Grant has scored this season.
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-grading-all-32-first-round-picks-week-17-2025?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Pick No. 13: Miami Dolphins: DI Kenneth Grant
Grant posted a season-high PFF overall grade in Miami’s Week 17 win over the Buccaneers. He also set a season high with four pressures, repeatedly flushing Baker Mayfield from the pocket. Grant earned a solid 68.9 PFF run-defense grade — his highest mark since Week 7. The Michigan product has certainly improved as the season has progressed, and he’ll look to end his campaign on a high note in Week 18 against the AFC East champion New England Patriots.
That 48.0 overall rookie grade to date is absolutely abysmal.
I wonder what his grades are first 8 games vs last 8 games.
Wow, Travon Diggs released by Dallas one week before the end of the season.
I know he couldn’t stay healthy, but why now?
In further Diggs’ news, Travon’s brother Steffan is in deep poop…
Cardi B tried to offer her baby daddy Steffon Diggs victim money to NOT go to the police after he STRANGLED HER to the point of blacking out He is now ARRESTED. The victim also claims she has recoded phone calls and texts from CARDI trying to silence her
*Stefan
I don’t believe it, he’s been a model citizen🤣
Wow, that is really going to hurt the Pats. They already lost Mack Hollins to IR.
this kid is very enthusiastic about Quinn Ewers play last week
join the party
something changed with him this season sitting on the bench or in practice/meetings, his pocket pressence was awful in preseason
happy anniversary everybody
It’s 25 years tonight the last time the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game
@gfirm456 $4.99
got a name for the new viewers cult following.,..” The Quinn Tetes” Tetes translates to heads in French.
that’s pretty funny gfrm
I’m gonna steal it
DAMNIT
EWERS VULT
I see you’ve bought in to the Kurt Warner theory
bailbondmike
says:
December 29, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Too early to tell on Ewers, IMO. Do we need another WR or do we need an OC with better route concepts? I say probably both
Yes, Unhappy Anniversary everyone.
we had Tua all those years as a non contested starting QB, think Ewers could do what Tua did at a min (only referring to wins), but why would we keep making the same mistakes?
we need real comp at QB
Absolutely, Ewers has only earned to be part of a competition, in my opinion.
Maiava from SC is a QB nobody is talking about, he’s been very productive this year
returning to school, no draft this year.
Can someone help me here? I thought a “pancake” block was when the O-lineman puts the guy on his ass, am I wrong?
https://x.com/BaldyNFL/status/2005820125174210847?s=20
Perhaps Baldy picked a bad example of a clip to place with that headline? YES a pancake block is when you knock them on their ass
Yeah – The first one he held his own at best, he was kind of just absorbing the guy but the DL was pushing him back. In the 2nd one, he kinda got owned and it looked he was holding on that play. Oh well, I like Baldi, but those 2 clips weren’t pancakes or even close
The problem with giving Quinn Ewers competition is you can’t spend good money on a veteran guy because we don’t have it. I’m 100% for drafting a QB in ’26, and if that’s where you want the competition to come from, that’s good with me. I think it’s a waste to give a veteran QB a big salary because we need it more in other places.
That’s why I drafted TWO in my last mock. LOL
steveccnv
says:
December 30, 2025 at 9:50 pm
join the party
something changed with him this season sitting on the bench or in practice/meetings, his pocket pressence was awful in preseason
When I posted that last night there was a link to a Youtube video that didn’t post. I wasn’t talking about ME when I said THIS GUY. LOL
Let’s see if I can get it to post from my work computer…
YES! Finally. I meant THIS guys is very enthusiastic. LOL
Watched him a couple times before. He can be overenthusiastic and more of a homer than some others.
https://dolphinstalk.com/2025/12/miami-has-a-chop-robinson-problem/
I agree with this statement. Pass Rusher is a critical position in this year’s draft.
Agree! Especially if we have to either trade or cut Chubby
Thanks rock! Interesting article.
11. Dante Moore QB Oregon
45. Zion Young EDGE Missouri
76. Genesis Smith S Arizona
89. D’Angelo Ponds CB Indiana
90. Drew Shelton OT Penn State
111. Eric Singleton Jr. WR Auburn
153. Dae’Quan Wright TE Ole Miss
225. Dominic Zvada K Michigan
Dante Moore dropped to us and I had to change my whole approach.
I know nothing about some of those guys; S Smith, OT Shelton and TE Wright. I will have to check them out.
Man, I want us to thrash New England on Sunday so much I can taste it. I don’t care at this point where we draft. I WANT to crush NE and maybe even put Drake Maye out for most of next season!!
I just read a headline / link title on Phins.com that got me thinking. (I haven’t read the article.) Who do YOU GUYS think is Miami’s MVP this season?
GO!
My immediate reply is:
De’von Achane
^ My immediate was Brooks though.
Rockphin says: December 31, 2025 at 7:46 am
That’s why I drafted TWO in my last mock. LOL
————-
Regarding drafting QB’s, I have done the same a few times. Though, only when I have traded down and gained more picks. Sometimes, when I only draft 1 QB, I still have in mind who I would also bring in as an UDFA to compete also.
Mainly Haynes King if he goes undrafted and Luke Altmyer as UDFA’s.
Iowa/Vanderbilt (first bowl game today) should be a good game today. Diego Pavia will be playing and did not opt out as he still has a lawsuit to get another year of eligibility.
I got to hand it to the Iowa players. They have 27 seniors with 8-9 who will get drafted and not one player opted out of their bowl game.
I hope the Iowa D bitch slaps him off his high horse.
Vrable said that the pats would handle the potential distribution of drugs by Stefon Diggs “internally”
Off the field, though, his tenure with the Patriots got off to a rocky start when a video surfaced on social media in May showing Diggs passing what appeared to be a bag of pink crystals to women on a boat.
What are they going to do about this one?
Has he been charged?
Nothing. It was swept under the table. The NFL and the team will not comment…
When it comes to Edge, that has been a priority of mine in the mocks though not necessarily early. I do double down most of the time on that position.
I think you should bring Cameron Goode back. He’s good vs the run and a good ST’s player. I wish they would bring up Derrick Mclendon from the practice squad and have him active for the game. Especially with Chop and his concussion. Heck, bring up both Andre Carter II and McLendon from the PS and have them active.
Seeing them vs a team like the Pats might help with the Chubb offseason decision.
I think we could find a trade partner for Chubb. Two contenders (who we will face next year) that have a bunch of 2026 cap space are the Chargers and Bengals. Then there is the Commanders also who have a bunch of cap. Chubb will cost them 20m in 2026 and 23m in 2027. That’s not bad as he has proven he is still a top edge player.
Commanders don’t have many picks though and none in the 2nd or 4th rounds. Plus, they will be picking in the top 7 and may go after Bain.
Bengals pick right before us (for now). They may go after Keldric Faulk or David Bailey.
Chargers don’t have many picks either but still have their top picks.
I see both Bengals and Chargers in win now mode and think they would prefer a not too expensive vet edge over a rookie.
I guess having limited picks doesn’t matter though. If you are going to spend a pick drafting an edge, then trading a pick for one is a wash.
Speaking of Edges and if you are going to watch the Iowa/Vandy game, keep an eye on Iowa Edge Max LLewellyn. I think he is solid. He could be one of those guys who are decent in college as far as the #’s go then explodes in the NFL. He’s 6’5 263.
While you are at it, watch for Iowa DT/DE Arron Graves and RT Gennings Dunker.
I think LLewellyn could be a day 3 steal and Graves a 7th round steal.
Dunker with 3 great run blocks on the first TD drive. He did make a wrong decision on the broken play/long run by the QB. He took the inside guy like you’re supposed to but he didn’t have to and it allowed the edge guy to flush the QB. He did throw a good block when the QB scrambled up field.
What a concept: playing excellent defense, running the ball, and using your TEs. I’m a little behind in the Iowa game, but in this era of throwing the ball to your WRs all the time, this still works in bowl games and the playoffs in college and the NFL. Having top 10 WRs or 1st-round WRs is way overrated.
^
Some exciting news
the patriots players are facing two assault charges this week
earlier this week Stefan Diggs was charged with assault and strangulation
Today Christian Barmore was charged with domestic violence
great week
the ghost of Aaron Hernandez had entered foxboro stadium 👻
Just saw that. Pats won’t be the darlings of the NFL in the playoffs. Wonder if we see calls not going their way… Just sayin
Game not over but observations so far:
I am sold on Dunker as a run blocking RT. He plays mean. I think he is as good a run blocker as Fano. He is decent enough in pass pro.
I will pass on LLewellyn. That first half he had a lot of 1 on 1’s with the Vandy RT and could not beat him. I think he got 1 pressure but it was on a roll out by Pavia.
DT/DE Graves has not been in the game much. When I did see him he got penetration but plays were going away from him. Man, he is quick off the snap. I think he would be a good pick in the 7th round. He has some upside.
Iowa continues to be TE University.
Lastly, add Mark Gronowski to the list of UDFA QB’s I would like to have. I would even consider him in the 7th round. He didn’t have the passing #’s he had at South Dakota State but he has potential. He is tough and hard to bring down, had 52 rushing TD’s in his 5 college seasons.
I agree, Dunker is definitely a prospect to consider on day 2. Plus, I wouldn’t mind giving Gronowski a shot late in the draft.
I should be watching Duke/Mensah now. Mensah will be in that 2027 draft class. That QB class is looking to be deep.
Give me a great TE over a great WR any day!!!!