Dolphins Face Challenges After Rough Start, but Marino Remains Hopeful
Even though it’s bright and sunny in Miami, the atmosphere feels a bit cloudy for the Dolphins, who have begun their 2025 season with a disappointing 0-2 record.
Still, Dan Marino, a legendary figure in Dolphins history, is holding off on any panic. He’s been watching closely as the team, which played better in its second game against the Patriots than against the Colts in the opener, navigates its current situation.
After 17 seasons in the NFL, Marino understands that there’s plenty of time for things to turn around with 15 games remaining. “Sure, the team is disappointed being 0-2,” he shared. “But, I’ve said it before, it’s important to stay positive.”
The history isn’t exactly in Miami’s favor, though. Over the past five seasons, 42 teams that started 0-2 have only seen five make it to the playoffs, which is a little under a 12% success rate. While the Dolphins achieved postseason berths in 2022 and 2023, they fell short last year with an 8-9 record. Now, head coach Mike McDaniel is tasked with reigniting the offense.
However, there are still lingering doubts about McDaniel’s future, especially with some fans expressing frustration during games. Marino, nevertheless, has faith in the coach’s capabilities to steer the team back on course.
He commented, “It’s a group effort. Mike has a great offensive mind, and he’s shown that. Every game in the NFL comes down to the fourth quarter—you have to play well for all four.” He added that had the team managed certain plays better, like in the case of player Achane, they could have secured a win.
As Marino pointed out, in the NFL, the sense of urgency typically arises from the need to win any given week, and not solely from an 0-2 start. “If you’re a true pro, there’s always urgency, whether it’s the first week or the last.” This week, the Dolphins will need to channel that urgency as they prepare for a matchup against the undefeated Buffalo Bills, recalling how they narrowly lost to them last season.
For Marino, this week represents another chance. He remains optimistic: “The Dolphins have another game against Buffalo on Thursday. They played tough last year and came away with a win. So, there’s reason to believe they can bounce back.”
