The Miami Dolphins were one of the NFL’s biggest spenders this offseason, and it could pay off with a division title in 2020.
The Dolphins signed big name free agents cornerback Byron Jones, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and running back Jordan Howard. They also traded for running back Matt Breida and drafted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
In a recent question posed to ESPN writers, one writer made the case that the Dolphins could win the AFC East this season.
“No AFC East team improved more than the Dolphins this offseason,” ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe wrote. “Tua Tagovailoa has more upside than any quarterback here, and [Dolphins head] coach Brian Flores coaxed a 5-11 record out of the NFL’s worst roster in 2019.
“[Tom] Brady is gone, and even with [Cam] Newton’s arrival, this [New England] Patriots team doesn’t command the same fear as it once did. The [Buffalo] Bills are probably at least division co-favorites, but they aren’t scaring anyone. The [New York] Jets are still … the Jets. The division is wide open, so why not the Dolphins?”
As much as the Dolphins improved, it’s clear that the rest of the division regressed.
The Patriots will be without Brady for the first time since he was injured in 2008 – a year the Dolphins also won the division title.
It might be too soon for the rebuilding Dolphins to steal the AFC East, but it’s clear that the future is bright in Miami.
