Miami Dolphins seek 'new identity' for 2025, but what is it?
MIAMI GARDENS — It's about action, more than words, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will tell you. But the words do set the tone.
And for McDaniel and the Dolphins, it seems there's been an intentional shift in tone.
Advertisement
The Dolphins have had talent. Pro Bowlers. All-Pros. Mega-contracts.
But not enough winning. No playoff wins, actually.
And so when McDaniel met with the team before what might be a little harder spring and summer of work, he set a tone with the players.
"Just like, we got to kind of get a new identity," veteran Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou said at the start of organized team activities. "And there's not gonna be a lot of slack and stuff like that. Everybody has to be on their s---, really."
McDaniel is not a tough guy/disciplinarian/dictator. But it's clear he wants to set a new tone.
Words are words are words, but...
Advertisement
Here are some of the words we're hearing and seeing already.
Connection. Consistency. Chemistry.
Mike McDaniel changes up Miami Dolphins' tone for 2025
Those words were literally part of a recent Dolphins social media post.
The Dolphins want to be a better team in 2025, which means player investment and spending more time together, on and off the field.
McDaniel is asking for - and it seems he'll demand as necessary - consistency.
There must be a better consistency in all areas. And after missing the playoffs last season, players seem to be on alert. There will be be changes if there is not improved performance in 2025.
Advertisement
More words? OK, we've got words.
Toughness. Reliability. Commitment.
"Personally, I feel like we're not soft," Kohou said. "We just, we just have to win more games and win the big ones."
Do Dolphins have to be tougher? More committed? Accountable?
Smart, incredible leaders like Terron Armstead and Calais Campbell have either retired or moved on.
And on the way out, each seemed to indicate a bit more could be given by Dolphins if they wanted to experience a championship effort. Be present. Be on-time. Attention to detail.
Armstead, candid as ever, put the onus on McDaniel to enforce accountability.
"It starts with Mike," Armstead said after Miami's final game of 2024. "It starts with Mike. You know, he's coming with that approach that we're going to be a great team. Nothing less. And holding everybody to that standard every day..."
Advertisement
Accountability. A word, but an important one.
Players say Tyreek Hill is showing signs of improved leadership.
For talented lone wolf Jalen Ramsey, who will soon be traded, leadership was not a focus.
Dolphins trading talented and temperamental Jalen Ramsey
The Dolphins have tried in recent years to assemble a team of star players with Pro Bowl pedigree and it's resulted in, again, no playoff wins.
There are still some really skilled players on this roster.
But what McDaniel seems to be emphasizing is that more than talent is going to be required to break through to another level of success.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by)
Veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks was asked about "culture" and "work ethic" and he suggested it is headed in the right direction.
Advertisement
"I feel like as a leader, you gotta' be the example," Brooks said. "And I think all the young guys that we've got, as a leader, you gotta' be the example. And I think the young guys, all the young guys that we got in, they'll follow behind that.
"It's not just myself that's helped leading the charge. We've got several guys. And so honestly, I feel with us leading the charge and making that change or whatever you wanna' say, I think a lot of the young guys that have come in, they went to work immediately. Which ultimately has kind of changed the, people wanna say the work ethic around the team or whatever, to our benefit."
McDaniel seems to be setting a 2025 tone with a bit more edge. And he's hoping, it seems, that the veteran players echo that tone in their leadership strategies.
"There's no easy put a poster on the wall," McDaniel said, adding, "Your culture is defined by the people within it and how you execute your daily habits. The tonality of the focus of the team has been clear to me thus far, and we'll see how it goes."
Advertisement
Dolphins OTAs: Top 5 storylines: CBs, OL, Chubb & Phillips
Miami Dolphins' Bradley Chubb: At least 90 percent healthy in return
Bobby Slowik: Miami Dolphins' new assistant may speed Mike McDaniel's play-calling
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins' Mike McDaniel setting new tone, but knows words not enough
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
With Dolphins tight end Smith's future in limbo, agent Drew Rosenhaus addresses the matter
Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith wants a new contract and has been the subject of trade talks with Pittsburgh. While agent Drew Rosenhaus did not specifically address those issues in his weekly TV segment late Sunday night, he made clear that Smith wants to remain a Dolphin. 'Here's what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami,' Rosenhaus said on WSVN-7. 'That's his first choice. This is where he lives in the off-season. He had a record-breaking season last year. 'It was the best season ever for a Miami Dolphin tight end... He broke the team record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for a tight end and was the team's single Pro Bowl player. He's an incredibly valuable part of this team... He went to college at FIU. His dream team is the Dolphins. 'Hopefully, everything works out where he can stay in Miami.' The Dolphins spoke to the Steelers after Smith conveyed that he wants a new contract, replacing the one that's due to pay him $4.8 million this season in the final year of a two-year deal. Smith, 29, caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns last season, his first with the Dolphins. Miami has been seeking a trade partner instead of agreeing to Smith's request for a new contract, ESPN reported. If the Dolphins trade Smith and do not get a tight end in return, their tight end room would feature only journeyman Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner and undrafted rookie Jalin Conyers. Veteran free agent tight ends still available include, among others, Jordan Akins (40 catches for 390 yards for Cleveland last season) and Hayden Hurst (8 for 73 for the Chargers). Here's a list of the limited number of free agents left at the position. The Athletic reported that the Raiders are open to trading tight end Michael Mayer, whose playing time diminished last year after Las Vegas drafted Brock Bowers, who had the best season for a rookie tight end in NFL history. 'I think Mike's been fantastic since I've been here; we didn't make any decisions on anything until you see him here, and Mike's been fantastic since day one of the offseason program,' Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said Thursday. If the Dolphins trade Smith for a future draft pick, his Dolphins 2025 cap hit would drop from $4.6 million to $550,000. While Smith ideally would like to remain in Miami, cornerback Jalen Ramsey wants out, with a trade expected in the coming weeks. If Ramsey traded for a future draft pick, his 2025 Dolphins cap hit would drop from $16.7 million to $6.7 million. A trade before June 2 would have resulted in a $25 million Dolphins cap hit for 2025. Miami would have $28 million in cap space if it trades both Ramsey and Smith for future draft picks.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Stefon Diggs' Job With Patriots Could Be In Jeopardy After Disturbing Viral Video: Report
Stefon Diggs' Job With Patriots Could Be In Jeopardy After Disturbing Viral Video: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs' New England Patriots tenure may be over before it even gets started. Advertisement The 31-year-old wideout found himself in hot water after a video emerged on social media of him on a boat surrounded by women in swimsuits passing a bag containing an unknown substance to one of his guests. The Patriots are aware of the video, and the team is reportedly deciding on how to address it with Diggs. 'It's something that we're aware of, and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,' Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters. 'The message will be the same for all our players, that we're trying to make great decisions. And any conversations that I've had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.' Diggs, a two-time All-Pro selection who signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March, hasn't been present at Patriots OTAs, and his future with the team is now in question according to a recent report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. Advertisement 'I sort of think all things are on the table,' Breer said in a radio interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub. 'And I think it's really, to me at least, it's going to boil down to what [Stefon] told Vrabel and how believable it was, because I think it's going to be hard for anybody — the league's going to look into this and they're going to hit a dead end because they're not going to be able to prove what was in the bag. So, then it's up to the team to make a decision.' Diggs' deal, which included a $12 million signing bonus, comes with $25 million guaranteed. Breer noted if New England has any chance of getting some of that money back for essentially firing Diggs for cause, they have to move swiftly. Former Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Taormina-Imagn Images 'If the team wants to recoup any of the guaranteed money, they have to cut him right away because you can't hold him on the roster for two weeks and decide, 'OK, we're done with you then,'' Breer continued. 'So, my guess would be the reason he wasn't at practice—and this is purely a guess—might be because [Vrabel] told him to stay away and maybe they're sorting through everything now.' Advertisement Breer also noted that Diggs' behavior is exactly what Vrabel is trying to discourage with the culture shift he's trying to instill in his first year as Patriots head coach. 'This sort of thing can undermine all of that,' Breer added. 'If [Diggs] falls on the sword and does everything right, then fine, but, if [Vrabel] thinks he is lying to him I just wouldn't doubt Mike having the stomach to cut him.' Related: Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Taylor Swift's Major Career Announcement Related: Shedeur Sanders Sounds Off on Browns QB Competition Amid Rumors He Could be Cut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Greg Olsen Sends Strong Message on Raiders' TE Brock Bowers
Greg Olsen Sends Strong Message on Raiders' TE Brock Bowers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders were fortunate enough to have Georgia tight end Brock Bowers fall into their lap with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. His rookie season was one to remember, as he caught 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Advertisement Bowers earned Pro Bowl honors in his first professional campaign, and he was also named a First-Team All-Pro. He broke several Raiders records during his rookie year, as well as NFL tight end or rookie records. His impressive season has also earned him a rightful spot among the best tight ends in the league. Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers (89).Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Legendary NFL tight end Greg Olsen, who went to three Pro Bowls and earned two All-Pro honors in his career, spoke recently on an episode of Pardon My Take about what makes Bowers such a special player. "That is just unique, to be that tall, that long, super linear, in (the SEC), and you look like the fastest guy on the field," Olsen said. "If he was able to come out of the draft after his second year, ... He would have been a top 10 pick." Advertisement Olsen also has a great understanding of both head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith because he played alongside them for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020. He spoke about what Raider Nation should expect for this season and beyond from Bowers and the new regime. "He's uniquely talented," Olsen said. "I'll be interested to see how that plays out now with the new regime and Pete Carroll. Geno loves his tight ends, but they are going to run the ball. ... As far as just a talent, I think he's the best tight end prospect to come out of the draft in the last 10-15 years. His rookie year matched it, if not exceeded it, which was pretty incredible." Bowers and the Raiders will open up the 2025 NFL season on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 7. Related: Maxx Crosby Reveals Which Former Raiders WR Dont'e Thornton Reminds Him Of Related: 3 Raiders Players Who Need Contract Extensions After A.J. Cole Deal This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
