The story of the end of the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 season was how the culture was lacking from inside the locker room, leading to the 8-9 finish that left the team out of the playoffs.
Tardiness from players had grown to become commonplace, and coach Mike McDaniel mentioned constant fines for players were futile in correcting behavior.
Dolphins leaders, as much as they can in the spring, are trying to set a tone to re-instill the proper culture to get the team competing for a postseason run again by the fall and winter.
“Absolutely,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said in a web conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon. “I know we’re going to make sure of it from Day 1 in the D-line room and the defense in general and, obviously, offense and the whole team.
“The big thing is, hey, if we’re going to be here, we’re going to be here. We’re going to be on time, we’re going to be ready to work, and we’re going to set the tone. Just ready to roll every day and just not kind of halfway going through things.”
Sieler has been with Miami since 2019, saw a rebuild transform into a unit ready to contend and now is part of the effort to rebound from a down year. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer is only in his second season with the team after signing as a free agent in 2024, and he’s seeing a difference from Year 1 to Year 2.
“I’m loving how everybody’s attacking the day,” Brewer said. “We’re working. We got a little couple hours here in the building, but even after that window closes, people are still around working. That’s what you love to see, people putting in that extra time, that extra work.”
It’s only the early phases of voluntary offseason workouts that precede organized team activities, or OTAs, but this is the time to start a new attitude for next season with much of the roster in place after the first wave of free agency and the draft.
Team-released video of offseason workouts, which are closed to the media and fans, have shown quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle present. Hill has been a regular at team facilities this offseason, according to McDaniel, although he’s rehabbing from wrist surgery.
“Everybody’s doing a little more. You’re seeing a lot more faces, I would say,” Brewer said. “We’re here after hours, putting in overtime. And so that’s something you love to see. And I’m excited for what we can do with that.”
One challenge for the new Dolphins leadership core this year is the veteran turnover on the roster. Between left tackle Terron Armstead’s retirement and defensive tackle Calais Campbell’s departure to the Arizona Cardinals. That’s nearly 30 years of NFL experience between the two.
“Losing those guys is tough,” Sieler said. “Two amazing players that just have given their lives to the game and such amazing role models on and off the field. But the foundation, the groundwork that those guys put in last year, you still feel those waves this year. So for guys that are leading on defense and offense, I think it’s a matter of keeping us together as a group and truly just rolling off of what they laid the foundation for.”
Sieler and Brewer are certainly now leaders for their units, which added rookies in the draft two weeks ago. The Dolphins added Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 pick in the first round of the past draft, before then taking Maryland’s Jordan Phillips and Georgia Tech’s Zeek Biggers in the fifth and seventh round. Miami also selected Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round.
Sieler has a pointed message for any rookies he comes across.
“What you did in college is awesome, but the real show starts now,” he said. “I mean, that’s what you worked for your whole life, and there’s a whole different level of attitudes now and this is guys’ livelihoods. I mean, these guys have families, these guys have kids that they’re trying to take care of. So just don’t mess around. It’s time to get real.”
Brewer is impressed with what he’s seen from Savaiinaea on film.
“Buddy is special. He’s a big dude, but he’s a big dude who can move,” Brewer said. “As soon as he gets here, I’m just trying to give him that mentality and get him to the standard ASAP. The future’s going to be so bright for him.”
Along with losing Armstead and Campbell, the Dolphins are bound to trade elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Sieler didn’t have much to say on that situation Wednesday.
“Jalen Ramsey’s a great player. I mean, obviously everyone knows that. What he’s done on the field these last years has been nothing but amazing, but that’s not my decision. That’s not my realm,” Sieler said. “I don’t know what happened there. I know that I look forward to the best for both parties — the Dolphins and Jalen. I hope that he ends up where he is going to be able to best serve his abilities. And the Dolphins are going to do what we are able to do at the best of our abilities.”
Originally Published: May 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM EDT