Heading into the 2025 season, there’s a real argument to be made that the Miami Dolphins have taken a step back compared to last season from a talent standpoint.
After all, Miami traded tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers somewhat recently, and safety Jevon Holland is now a member of the New York Giants.
Plus, the Dolphins decided to release running back Raheem Mostert, cornerback Kendall Fuller and tight end Durham Smythe this offseason.
There are people who hold a negative perception of the Dolphins’ roster at this juncture, but that doesn’t seem to bother fullback Alec Ingold, who has spent the last three seasons in a Dolphins uniform.
Dolphins FB Alec Ingold on outside perception of team not having a strong roster: "I don't give a sh*t. Catch me in training camp. Catch these guys working. … That noise can be great for some people, terrible for others. I really don't care."
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) July 22, 2025
Pass rusher Bradley Chubb also indicated that the Dolphins are more worried about what they can control on the field than any outside noise.
Bradley Chubb: "They talk. We do." https://t.co/F8K4sMZ6Es
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) July 22, 2025
It’s worth noting that for all of the criticisms about how the Dolphins’ roster looks, the team as currently constructed isn’t set in stone for the 2025 season.
Not only that, but the Dolphins have already made some additions to help fortify their depth at the tight end and safety positions in light of losing Smith and Holland.
For one, they traded a sixth-round pick in 2026 to the Giants for a package headlined by tight end Darren Waller. Waller didn’t play at all in the 2024 season and is unretiring, but he has more than 4,000 career receiving yards to his name.
Also, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick highlighted the return for Miami in the deal that sent Ramsey and Smith to Pittsburgh. He led the entire NFL in total interceptions not too long ago when he totaled six in the 2022 campaign with the Steelers, and he already has five Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro selections to his name at just 28 years old.
Here’s to hoping that Waller and Fitzpatrick will prove to be strong additions for Miami and other players will also come up big for the team in the coming season.
