One outlet’s bold prediction for the 2026 Miami Dolphins may cause a split between the fanbase.

Jun 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley watches mini camp with defensive quality control Coach Siriki Diabate at Baptist Health Training Complex. Isabella Frias-Imagn Images

The Athletic boldly predicts the Miami Dolphins won’t be as bad as the masses believe

‘Universally regarded as one of the NFL’s worst teams, I think the Dolphins will prove to be (slightly) better than that. Austin Mock’s model projects them to win 4.5 games. I’ll boldly predict that quarterback Malik Willis and company win enough games to finish with a better record than the Browns, Jets, Titans, Cardinals, Falcons and Commanders. It’s a low bar, but that’s the kind of season the Dolphins are looking at in 2026.”

— Jim Ayello, The Athletic

That’s a fair assessment. Miami isn’t likely going to contend for a playoff spot this season. Or find themselves in the vaunted “In The Hunt” graphic come Week 15. But I’ve been harping on this point for the last few months myself. The Dolphins aren’t built to be the league’s doormat, either.

If quarterback Malik Willis is who this regime seems to believe he is, and if the Dolphins’ offensive line is the strength it appears to be with the running game, Miami seems well positioned to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. A team that can run the ball and stop the run should, in theory, lead to a few upset wins to go with victories over the handful of bad teams on their 2026 schedule.

The Dolphins invested heavily in the trenches this offseason and brought in young, physical players through the 2026 NFL Draft. If that’s the case, Miami indeed won’t be picking in the top 6, and this bold prediction will prove to not be bold at all. But it would cause a rift between the fans. There are two general schools of thought through a reset. The first is simple: contend as hard as you can, win as many games as you can, and build up a competitive environment. Losing doesn’t promote winning. (This is where I sit, for the record.)

The other group of fans believe if you’re going to be bad, be bad. Get that magic draft pick! Draft at No. 1 overall and find a savior. I’ve seen that story enough times to know that story often doesn’t end well. But I can already hear the debates brewing if Miami lands where The Athletic predicts regardless.

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