After an 11-6 record in 2023, the Miami Dolphins took a significant step back in 2024, going 8-9. Heading into 2025, there are several questions surrounding Mike McDaniels and his team, with one analyst believing Miami's season will go one of two ways.
ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager was on "NFL Live" and shared his concerns from the reporting coming out of Dolphins training camp. Moreover, the team are without veteran leaders in Jalen Ramsey and Terron Armstead, who left the organization in the offseason.
In his analysis, Schrager believes the 2025 season for the Dolphins can go one of two ways. The first will be they revert to the 11-6 team from two years ago.
"It can go one of two directions [for the Dolphins]," Schrager said. "It could be lightning bolts, and everyone—we're all in, we're galvanized. The haters are going to hate. It's us against the world. We don't need Jalen Ramsey [or] Terron Armstead, we're good, we're fine. Let's do it. We've got the guys, we've got the weapons, and we've got the coaching staff."
"None of it seems great coming out of Miami right now."@PSchrags explains why he’s not confident in the Miami Dolphins’ success this season. pic.twitter.com/WCHyR4L5Pd
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 13, 2025
However, then Schrager points out the other side of the coin where what's going on in training camp for Miami is a precursor for what's to come in the regular season. He cites several concerning aspects involving Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and McDaniels.
"Or it could be what a lot of people are cautiously raising their eyebrows at, with quotes from Tua to start camp about how he and Tyreek really have to still hash things out," Schrager added. "Quotes from Tyreek from week 18 are still lingering. Quotes from Tyreek where he's questioning some of the play calls in practice, and then Mike McDaniel has to correct that. None of it seems great coming out of Miami right now."
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Nonetheless, Schrager does state that this could all be forgotten with how the Dolphins start the season, as they have the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, but the ESPN analyst does hint that this is a make-or-break season for the Dolphins.
"I have been doing this long enough where you wait for the regular season. They play Indianapolis Week 1. This could be the same offense that put up 70 points two years ago on the Broncos defense, or it could be a great disappointment, and we're looking at ourselves in January, saying, 'What happened?' Maybe they got to redo this whole thing and start over."