Dolphins' 2025 outlook hinges on toughness—mental and physical—being the edge that turns talent into playoff success. Jordyn Brooks stands as the tone-setter the roster needs, with preseason moments showing him pushing teammates to higher standards. The piece argues that fumbles, penalties, and late-game miscues have hampered wins, and that Brooks’ intensity could unlock more reliable closing runs for Miami.

With Tua Tagovailoa and a dynamic pair in Hill and Waddle, the unit has playmakers, but success will depend on culture translating to on-field discipline and health. The article notes signs of change but warns that the Dolphins must prove they can win late-season road games and challenge Kansas City’s elite threshold to reach the summit.

Miami's 2025 captains are Tua Tagovailoa, Alec Ingold, Zach Sieler, Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks, and Bradley Chubb. Tyreek Hill was not voted a captain for the first time since joining in 2022, amid past comments about wanting to play elsewhere. Hill has indicated he may not be a captain this year, but he’s rehabbing an oblique and is expected to be ready for the Colts game. De'Von Achane is also nearing a return after calf trouble, adding to a versatile offense and league-tested leadership structure.

Miami’s joint practice with Chicago became a character moment more than a clash. Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson cooled a sideline scuffle by framing it as brotherly fire, and Mike McDaniel reinforced that belief, calling the moment family business that strengthens the unit. By the preseason opener, Brooks and Dodson were back in tandem, with Brooks praising Dodson’s ceiling and using the moment as iron sharpening iron. The episode also highlighted the Dolphins’ disciplined thud tempo and the Bears’ physical practice, while signaling more joint work ahead against Detroit as Miami readies for Detroit’s defense and stiffer competition.

Armstead later revealed on a podcast that Dodson was the target of Brooks’s confrontation, adding another layer to the team’s internal narrative. McDaniel’s measured response—acknowledging the friction but emphasizing accountability and communication—suggests the Dolphins value resilience and transparent dialogue. As they prepare for back-to-back practices with the Lions, the Dolphins appear intent on translating friction into cohesion, with depth and role clarity shaping fantasy impact and real-game performance in August and beyond.