The Miami Dolphins‘ preseason is not just another one. With history weighing on their shoulders, after 41 years without reaching the Super Bowl and 52 years without winning it, the team is preparing with the aim of breaking the cycle of accumulated frustrations
The calendar has not yet started, but the decisions made in these days are already beginning to define the immediate future of a franchise that has been able to generate expectations, but not results. The first date for 2025 will be August 10 when they face the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the preseason and the kickoff for the Dolphins will be on September 7 when they visit the Indianapolis Colts.
In the NFL, margins are small and the season is short. That’s why the period between campaigns is not just about maintaining physical fitness: it’s a time for definition. And head coach Mike McDaniel has made it clear that 2025 will not be a year of passive continuity. On the contrary, he is aiming for a structural transformation that goes beyond the plays.
Mike McDaniel aims to redefine locker room culture
Known for his tactical acumen and unconventional style, McDaniel has set out to dismantle what he himself called “the residue of complacency”. His approach is not only aimed at on-field performance, but also at the internal fabric of the team, as far as the locker room is concerned, the coach has stated on more than one occasion that “culture matters”
In McDaniel’s view, true competitiveness starts in the locker room, and the team works hard to close a roster aligned not only in talent, but also in mentality, which according to sources, the All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey is in plans to be traded, because according to Essentially Sports, his arrogance has caused fissures with McDaniel, who protects the team and applies his mantra: “No one is above the helmet shield.”
Although key moves have yet to be confirmed, the signs are that the Dolphins are willing to make tough decisions if it means regaining control of the dressing room and building a cohesive, competitive and mentally strong team for the toughest part of the season.
The Dolphins have a key date for the Ramsey move on June 1, if they close before then it would only have an impact on the 2025 salary cap, as he has a $72 million contract, but if the trade is later, Miami could spread the dead salary impact over two years, which would also be reflected in the 2025 salary cap:
- 2025 dead cap limit: Around $10.7 million.
- 2026 dead salary cap: Around $18.5 million.
- Capital savings by 2025: Around $5.9 million.
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