Dolphins Face Another Rebuilding Phase

The Miami Dolphins find themselves at a crossroads, needing to rebuild yet again. After a brief glimpse of success under Mike McDaniel, the team has spiraled into disappointment, never fully capitalizing on their potential in the AFC. Currently, they sit at the bottom alongside the Jets and will likely have to start over with both their roster and coaching staff this offseason.

Reflecting on the past tends to feel, well, unproductive. Sure, reminiscing can spark interesting discussions, but in the realm of sports, it’s often more beneficial to focus on future growth. However, for the Dolphins, especially considering that Chris Grier has been the general manager since 2016, looking back to understand past errors could be crucial—learning from them is key to progress.

The pivotal mistake for the Dolphins this time around was the decision to let go of Brian Flores.

This choice seemed more about institutional politics than just a single decision by the GM. Owner Stephen Ross, in a bid to orchestrate a high-profile deal to bring in Tom Brady and Sean Payton to Miami, faced significant backlash when the plan fell apart. The Dolphins lost a draft pick in the chaos, but at first glance, they appeared to be on the right path with McDaniel as their new coach. Nonetheless, Flores’ dismissal set off a chain reaction leading to the team’s current downfall.

By the time he was let go, Flores was still in the process of establishing himself in Miami. His tenure saw four offensive coordinators in three seasons, making it hard for the offense to gel. Yet, it was evident that Flores was doing wonders on the defensive side. When he took over in 2019, the Dolphins, under Adam Gase, were struggling—ranking 27th in points allowed and near the bottom in both pass and run defense. The initial year was a chance to reassess talent, but by 2020, they had transformed into a formidable defensive unit, ranking sixth in points allowed and first in turnovers.

Even though they were still lacking some key personnel, Flores’ innovative defensive strategies brought out the best in players like Emmanuel Ogbah and Jalen Phillips. His approach, which emphasized aggressive fronts and surprise blitzes, yielded impressive results. There was a minor dip defensively in 2021 as teams adapted, but Flores rebounded well; the Dolphins finished strong with a 9-8 record, winning eight of their final nine games despite being pressured to tank the season, which he famously refused.

The team’s journey wasn’t flawless—results didn’t surface right away—but it was clear that Flores was shaping a vision for the team. The players, especially on defense, began to buy into his philosophy, so his abrupt firing was a shock, particularly his pursuit of Sean Payton afterwards.

Of course, not everything about Flores was ideal. He was known for his tough persona and high expectations, which often didn’t sit well with everyone. This characteristic is somewhat expected from coaches influenced by Bill Belichick’s philosophies, but it didn’t help his relationships.

Still, was he truly in the wrong? Sure, some players felt he was too intense, but things started to unravel the moment he departed. Under Mike McDaniel, the Miami roster seemed to lack discipline and accountability, losing its way amid a more relaxed environment that ultimately bred chaos.

Let’s be clear: I’m not arguing that Flores was without faults. He certainly had his shortcomings. However, in retrospect, he proved to be significantly better than both Adam Gase before him and McDaniel afterward. Maybe he moved a bit too quickly—perhaps due to his age—and it seemed like he could have benefited from some seasoned guidance to balance his intensity. Yet, he maintained direction and held the team to high standards.

As for Flores, he’s moving on. It’s likely he’ll find another head coaching role after a stint as defensive coordinator in Minnesota. If he doesn’t, it will more likely be due to the ongoing lawsuit regarding his firing rather than his coaching capabilities. Meanwhile, the Dolphins must face yet another rebuilding season—perhaps a realization that chasing lofty ambitions can come at the expense of what you already possess.