Darren Waller’s return from the PUP list could immediately reshape the Dolphins’ fantasy outlook. Frank Smith’s Raiders-era work with Waller provides Miami with a blueprint to integrate him quickly, while Mike McDaniel guards against overloading him in camp. The plan centers on getting the 6’6” target synced with Tua Tagovailoa without rushing the process.

Waller gives Tagovailoa a big, reliable middle-field option to balance Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside. The Giants-to-Dolphins trade story feeds the narrative of a veteran with a high football IQ who can line up everywhere, creating mismatches and breathing extra life into the passing game as he ramps up.

The Dolphins’ approach emphasizes physical readiness and smart usage, aiming for early contributions without compromising long-term health. If Waller settles in, Miami’s ceiling rises, with the offense leveraging his versatility to exploit tight end-heavy looks and maximize play-action leverage around their speed weapons.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel provided a concise update on De'Von Achane and Zach Sieler after their soft-tissue, lower-body injuries kept them out of practice and the Saturday preseason game against Detroit. He stressed the issues aren’t severe and hinted Achane’s timeframe could look different in a regular-season setting, while not giving a hard timetable for either player. The Dolphins will reassess once back in Miami, with the Jaguars looming in the home opener slate.

For fantasy managers, the news is relief-driven: Achane’s early-season ceiling remains intact if he returns soon, and Sieler’s status isn’t described as long-term. The pair’s absence could influence Miami’s game plan early on, but McDaniel’s tone suggests a cautious restart rather than a shutdown. The upcoming week’s joint practices and the Jaguars game will likely set the pace for theirreturn.

Ben Johnson praised Mike McDaniel’s run game as “next level,” calling him a mad scientist who finds space inside and on the perimeter. The Bears coach, in his first season, noted McDaniel’s offensive genius and how Tua Tagovailoa’s health has fueled Miami’s playoff runs when healthy, underscoring a contrast between the Dolphins’ high ceiling and roster concerns that could drag them in a crowded AFC East.

The exchange came after a preseason tie between Chicago and Miami, with Johnson stressing patience for his own rebuilding project while giving McDaniel substantial respect. The piece frames McDaniel as a coach whose scheme depends on health and roster stability, and it highlights the Bears’ longer runway to grow, even as both teams eye meaningful seasons ahead.

Miami's Tua Tagovailoa faced a hiccup in joint practice against Chicago, throwing three picks and leaving some to wonder if pre-season snaps were warranted by a rough practice week. In the actual preseason opener, he went 5-for-6 for 27 yards, with no TDs and no picks, in a 24-24 tie with the Bears. Mike McDaniel explained the one-series approach for the starters as a coaching decision, not a reaction to Friday’s session.

The piece underscores Tagovailoa’s volatile preseason track record but notes the Dolphins win-rate with him on the field (.625) versus without him (.350). Chemistry, especially among receivers, remains a hurdle due to quarterback rotations last season, including Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley. Still, the offense projects as potent with Tagovailoa orchestrating the core weapons when he’s under center.

Fantasy takeaway centers on the Dolphins’ air-raid potential when Tagovailoa is firing, yet health and consistency across the first-team unit temper expectations. The Bears’ defense offered a test, but early-season fantasy outputs hinge on Tagovailoa’s health, the health of Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, and the offensive line’s steadiness. Preseason results illuminate but do not decide Week 1 odds; volume and efficiency will be the deciding factors.

Overall, the Dolphins appear to be a high-ceiling but high-variance unit in fantasy, capable of explosive weeks when the connection with his top targets is clicking, yet susceptible to disruption if practice-week puzzles persist. The Bears game provided a microcosm: moments of elite potential, balanced by the need for greater consistency and playmaking support around Tagovailoa.

Chicago Bears lean into a tougher, more physical identity in camp, with Ben Johnson demanding intensity while steering fights out of the play. The early skirmishes between Bears offense and defense drew mixed reaction, but Johnson says the bite will be the norm—provided discipline follows. The Bears’ aim is a disciplined, hard-hitting unit, especially on defense, ahead of a Friday joint practice with the Miami Dolphins. If they can channel that edge without letting tempers spill, Chicago should be a fun, tougher-out team in 2025.

The Dolphins’ side of the week featured a first-look clash during joint sessions, highlighted by occasional on-field tensions and Mike McDaniel stepping in to break one up. Johnson’s emphasis on eliminating fights signals a cultural shift, as Chicago tries to shed last year’s image. For fantasy fans, the shift toward a more physical, disciplined defense could lift Chicago’s units and create more disruptive opportunities in favorable matchups.