The 10 key questions Miami Dolphins 2025 training camp should help answer

That’s when we’ll begin to get answers to burning questions about the 2025 team.

Here are key issues that face a team coming off an 8-9 record and no playoffs – and a playoff-victory drought now entering its 25th year:

How will the rushing attempts be divvied up in new RB room?

Sep 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Miami Dolphins running back DeVon Achane (28) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Dolphins’ running back room looks markedly different.

De’Von Achane remains the featured back, looking for his first 1,000-yard season, and you know he’ll have his share of receiving yards.

Behind him are question marks. We all can sense that second-year man Jaylen Wright has the potential to do eye-opening things. Will he get an opportunity now that veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are gone?

Alexander Mattison is an interesting pickup who could finally solve the Dolphins’ gotta-have-it short-yardage issues.

Don’t sleep on Ollie Gordon, the sixth-round pick from Oklahoma State who showed flashes in the spring.

Zach Sieler’s master class is in session

Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws as Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) moves in during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Dolphins knew they needed to get help for team MVP Zach Sieler once defensive end Calais Campbell rejoined the Arizona Cardinals.

They drafted Kenneth Grant in Round 1 and Jordan Phillips in Round 5. Will they make an impact as rookie defensive tackles?

In training camp, watch how often Sieler is counseling Grant and Phillips to get them on the fast track.

Prediction: Often.

Is Zach Wilson the answer to a key question?

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins addresses the media at Baptist Health Training Complex on October 21, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Everyone saw how vital QB2 was behind Tua Tagovailoa last season. The Dolphins played five games with a backup QB and won only one. Win a couple of those and you’re suddenly in playoff range.

So there was no doubt the Dolphins were going to sign a backup who can start if need be in 2025. Marcus Mariota was due to become a free agent. So was Jimmy Garoppolo.

In the end, the Dolphins signed Zach Wilson, whom they say they had targeted.

The Dolphins feel they’re not getting the Zach Wilson who was drafted second overall by the New York Jets but whose career in the Big Apple mirrored those of many New York Jets QBs. Wilson is 12-21 as a starter with more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23).

Similarly, though, leaving New York has been a career-saving move for Geno Smith and Sam Darnold. Now Mike McDaniel hopes to have the same luck transforming Wilson.

Wilson welcomes the chance.

“What I’ve tried to do since I went through the entire New York experience, trying to be more myself and focus more on just enjoying the game, enjoying learning, enjoying the failures, the process – everything that comes with it,” Wilson said. “Not being too hard on yourself when you make a mistake because I’m just trying to learn and do my best and get better. And I think having that focus and that mindset is what’s going to get you to where you want to be.”

Jason Sanders is outstanding. Will the rest of special teams rise to his level?

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08: Jason Sanders #7 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a field goal with Calais Campbell #93 in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Jason Sanders had an outstanding 2024, accurate from all spots on the field but especially good at kicks from 50-plus yards.

Rookie Malik Washington showed promise as a return man last year. His muff against Green Bay was costly, but he showed an ability to shake it off with a 40.7 kick-return average in the finale vs. the Jets.

That’s the good news. The bad news was most everything else as inconsistency plagued Miami’s special teams. Somehow, special teams coordinator Danny Crossman hung onto the role for six years.

But not anymore. McDaniel made a change for 2025, bringing in Craig Aukerman, primarily known for his time as the Tennessee Titans’ coordinator. Aukerman brought with him punter Ryan Stonehouse, setting up a head-to-head competition for the punting job this training camp against incumbent Jake Bailey, who had an OK 2024.

Leaning toward the bright side, let’s say Sanders has a season comparable to last year and Washington continues his development. Then, it’ll be up to Aukerman to raise the level of Miami’s coverage and return teams and address penalties so that his unit isn’t a weak link.

Can this Dolphins secondary hold up?

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) attempts to catch the ball under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first half of the game between the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers and host Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, October 23, 2022, in Miami Gardens, FL. Final score, Dolphins 16, Steelers, 10.

A secondary that in recent years has boasted Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland is no more.

The Dolphins brought back safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the Ramsey trade with the Steelers. Now, they also must hope that serviceable DBs emerge from their free-agent additions. The Dolphins know they can count on Kader Kohou. But what about Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu or Artie Burns? They combined for four starts in 2024.

The secondary took some hits in spring workouts in shorts – and that was without Tyreek Hill doing team drills.

Of all the position groups that should concern Dolphins fans, this is tops.

Speaking of Tyreek Hill …

Hill said he’s getting healthier following offseason wrist surgery.

(Fine.)

He promises he’s with the team he wants to be with and will prove that this fall.

(OK, let’s see.)

He ran well in a track meet in Los Angeles, even if that showdown with Noah Lyles didn’t pan out.

(Would have been somewhat stunned if it did.)

Will the noise Tyreek Hill makes in 2025 be confined to the field?

(Please, let it.)

Did we forget about the offensive line?

How could we? It has been the talk hovering over this team seemingly for decades. GM Chris Grier even admitted something had to be done to upgrade the line, so he spent a third-round pick on Jonah Savaiinaea and signed another guard in veteran James Daniels, who is coming off an Achilles injury.

Now picture both of them panning out, coupled with center Aaron Brewer and tackles Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson.

That’s the best-case scenario.

Let’s see if they can finally realize it.

About this culture-change thing in Miami …

We’re going to keep this short.

You’ve heard a lot about the Dolphins seeking a change in culture. Too much, really. It’s just talk. The Dolphins talked last year, too. Where did it get them?

“I’m going to say last year we were lying, honestly,” linebacker Bradley Chubb said. “Point blank. Period.”

So were they lying again this spring?

We’ll soon know.

Welcome back, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips

Sep 30, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) walks off the field with a team trainer after an apparent injury during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The Dolphins’ bookend pass rushers, Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, were injured last year, which gave rookie Chop Robinson an extended look.

Robinson passed the test and was a finalist for defensive rookie of the year.

Now the Dolphins are toying with having all three on the field at the same time.

We don’t know if they’ll lay any of those cards out on the table in the preseason, but it’s worth watching.

Will Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier remain in control?

That’s the big question, isn’t it?

We won’t know the answer over the summer but will begin to learn it as the leaves turn (not here, but everywhere else, of course).

This is Year 4 for McDaniel. History tells us it’s a make-or-break time for head coaches in the eyes of owner Stephen Ross. McDaniel has made the playoffs twice but perhaps – perhaps – winning a playoff game is where the bar is set now.

McDaniel seems determined to instill more discipline this season. It could manifest itself as soon as training camp, depending on how demanding it is.

Likewise, it would be good for Grier’s high picks, starting with Kenneth Grant, to make an impact.

And we don’t mean next year.