The Miami Dolphins saw their season come to a disappointing end on Sunday, and the organization’s focus is now on the offseason. It looks like the front office is already getting to work, as defensive back Nik Needham revealed on Monday that the team has already expressed interest in bringing him back next season.
We were permitted, just now, to speak to Dolphins who had season-ending injuries. (Tua wasn't in the locker room) One nugget: Free agent CB Nik Needham, who sustained a torn Achilles in the sixth game, said the Dolphins have conveyed they want to re-sign him. More to come.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 16, 2023
Needham suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6. It was just another big blow to Miami’s defensive backfield, which was hobbled all season long.
The University of Texas at El Paso product appeared in six games, making five starts and recording 21 combined tackles and two passes defended. Given the uncertain future of Byron Jones, who did not play this season after undergoing offseason surgery, it seems as though Needham is primed to have another big role next season for the Dolphins.
It’s clear that injuries to different defensive backs like Needham and Jones hurt the Dolphins, as they had one of the worst pass defenses in the regular season, allowing 234.8 passing yards per game (27th in the league).
One can only imagine that upgrading that unit will be one of the top priorities for the Dolphins front office in the coming offseason.
As of now, the Dolphins really won’t have much wiggle room in regards to the salary cap, but different moves like restructurings of contracts, trades and releases could fix the team’s salary cap issue.
The #Dolphins should be about $20M over the salary cap once they make their futures signings. Dead last in draft capital.
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) January 15, 2023
Miami nearly pulled off an improbable upset against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday despite looking pretty outmatched during the start of the game. Multiple turnovers forced by the Dolphins defense allowed the squad to have a fighting chance, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough.
Buffalo scored 14 unanswered points after the Dolphins went up 24-20 in the third quarter, and it wound up winning 34-31. Plenty of people were critical of Miami’s issues with getting to the line on time and its play-calling.
On a key fourth down late in the game, Miami wasn’t able to get the snap off in time and got a delay of game penalty. Skylar Thompson then threw an incomplete pass to Mike Gesicki, and the Dolphins weren’t able to get the ball back.
Head coach Mike McDaniel explained that there was a mix-up that led to the penalty.
“There was some communication that we’d gotten first down,” he said. “So then we were deploying a group of players for the first-and-10 call. Then it was articulated that, no, it was fourth down. … I had gotten convicted information that it was a first down; I don’t really know exactly who it was from. It’s probably the first time all year that that had happened. You try to do your best. As it was, I thought we had a fourth-and-6 opportunity we were unable to come up with.”
It’s a big offseason for the Dolphins front office, and it will need to make the right moves in order for the team to improve and become a real contender in the AFC.
Time will tell what players are brought in to help in that pursuit.
