When the Miami Dolphins' 2024 season ended, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that he had difficulty disciplining players during the year and fining them "didn't particularly move the needle." At the time, defensive lineman Zach Sieler said there were "things going on this year, obviously in the background, that needed to get taken care of."
According to players participating in the team's 2025 offseason program, there's been some positive changes.
"Just everybody being here, you get to see the team chemistry," Dolphins pass rusher Chop Robinson said. "Everybody just wants the same goal. Everybody wants to be great, everybody wants to win. The only way to do that is doing it all together, so the chemistry is definitely better than it was last year."
Running back De'Von Achane, who is entering his third year with the Dolphins, has noticed the same.
"We're doing better than we did last year because a lot of guys here in OTAs, we're trying to build our chemistry early than trying to do it in training camp," Achane said. "So I feel like it's more of a team thing. A lot of people are here. ... I feel like as a team we're building that energy and we're here every day. We're not missing days. You can see this year's team is way different from last year's team."
The Dolphins spent much of the 2025 offseason getting significantly younger. Not only was their draft class the youngest in the NFL, the team waved goodbye to Calais Campbell, who turns 39 in September, along with 34-year-old safety Jordan Poyer, 33-year-old offensive lineman Terron Armstead, and 33-year-old Raheem Mostert.
The oldest player on the roster is newly acquired long snapper Joe Cardona, who turned 33 last month. Only four other players on the roster are in their 30s, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is likely to be traded soon.
"Some of the players we added [this offseason] are quality human beings and people that have been leaders at other teams," Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters in April. "But I do think in-house, when you have guys like Zach Sieler - just to name a few - you can say Tyreek (Hill), (Jaylen) Waddle, Alec Ingold, Austin Jackson - the offensive line guys love him. Those guys, they lead differently. They're quiet guys in how they do it by example and stuff, so we feel comfortable."
The Dolphins will begin the organized team activity (OTA) portion of their offseason program on Monday, May 26.