Miami’s second preseason win over Detroit doubled as a spotlight for Miami’s depth players and a barometer of the rebuild on both sides of the ball. Ethan Robinson’s dramatic late-leap interception at the Lions’ 20-yard line capped a night in which backups got real reps and began to answer questions about the secondary and the back end. Zach Wilson looked more competent under pressure, while Quinn Ewers operated the second half with growing confidence, showing a clearer path to growth for Miami’s QB pipeline. Dee Eskridge and Tanner Conner supplied early pop at receiver/Tight End, and Kenneth Grant anchored the run defense for the Dolphins’ young defensive line. The result was a hopeful sign that Miami is building a more coherent unit as they approach the final roster decisions and, eventually, Week 1.

Miami’s camp drama underscored a practice-first culture: Mike McDaniel sprinted in to separate a skirmish between Dee Eskridge and Kevin Byard, emphasizing that fights are a waste of time and the focus is on getting looks and getting home. James Daniels attributed the mood to competing, not clashing, with energy that can sharpen the Dolphins’ edge come preseason.

Minkah Fitzpatrick pushed back on relying on coaches to police every moment, noting the danger of injury and the value of players holding each other to a high standard. The episode also spotlighted Jordyn Brooks, whose energy and accountability drew praise even as his line to separation showed team discipline. Miami will carry the tone into Sunday’s preseason with Chicago.

Miami opens its preseason slate at Chicago with plenty of roster intrigue. Six areas stand out: fringe special teams players who can carve a spot, the battle for the Dolphins fifth receiver, an unsettled cornerback group, offensive line depth questions, backup QB opportunities, and veteran pushback for a roster spot. Expect rookies and fringe players to get meaningful reps as starters rest.

Key special-team contenders include Dee Eskridge and Cameron Goode, with undrafted options like Monaray Baldwin generating curiosity. The crowd for the fifth receiver spot features Eskridge, Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., and Andrew Armstrong, plus others in camp. The cornerback room remains fluid after offseason changes, with Ethan Bonner and undrafted BJ Adams in the mix while Isaiah Johnson stays in the conversation.

On the line, Germain Ifedi, Daniel Brunskill, Josh Priebe, Addison West and swing-tackle contenders will get opportunities to prove depth behind the starters. Quinn Ewers will get reps behind Tua Tagovailoa, who may or may not see action, while the backup plan at quarterback remains unsettled. Veterans Cam Smith, Channing Tindall, Tanner Conner and Erik Ezukanma will be aiming to reaffirm their spots in a game where jobs are on the line.

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel displayed his leadership during a fiery joint practice with the Chicago Bears, stepping into a skirmish to separate players and emphasizing that fights waste valuable practice time. His intervention came after several altercations between Miami and Chicago players, including shoving matches involving Dee Eskridge and Kevin Byard. Despite McDaniel's relatively small stature, his actions were met with appreciation from players like Minkah Fitzpatrick, who humorously acknowledged the risks of his involvement.

This intensity, combined with the competitive nature of joint practices, has become a norm as players vie for roster spots. The Dolphins’ defensive line also faced challenges, as internal disputes flared up, showcasing the high stakes of NFL training camps. As players rallied to maintain focus, McDaniel's philosophy was clear: avoid distractions, keep the eye on the prize, and focus on practice rather than fights.